Re-Grading the Atlanta Hawks signing of Gorgui Dieng at All-Star break
The Atlanta Hawks signed veteran big man Gorgui Dieng to a one-year deal in the 2021 offseason. While this signing had potential playoff implications, as the season has unfolded this appears to not be the case as Dieng has struggled to break into the rotation.
Dieng is a defensively-minded center with the ability to space the floor with his solid 3-point shooting. Last season the Hawks did not have a big man who was able to fill this role. While Dieng is shooting the long ball at the reasonable clip of 42.6 percent he is only taking 1.5 attempts in his 9.0 minutes per game.
His full stat line for the season is 3.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 0.8 assists, and 0.4 blocks in the 9.0 minutes per game. He is shooting 47.9 percent from the floor, 42.6 percent from the perimeter, and 70.8 percent from the free-throw line.
Why are the Atlanta Hawks not playing Gorgui Dieng?
Dieng has has a reasonably successful career. He was taken with the 21st pick of the 2013 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz before being traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He played six and a half seasons with the Timberwolves before being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. After being waived by the Grizzlies he finished last season as a member of the San Antonio Spurs.
He has always been solid on the defensive end of the court with his 3-point game growing throughout his career. The problem is that this style does not really fit with what the Hawks need. They have an incredible amount of shooters but when Trae Young is running the offense, the Hawks need a true pick and roll player who can space the floor vertically.
This is where Onyeka Okongwu comes in. He already has a tremendous connection with Lou Williams. This first developed in his rookie year but is getting stronger ever since. He is also able to work the pick and roll with Young to greater effect. The other benefit to Okongwu is that he outworks the opposition more the Dieng on the offensive glass.
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Even during the Covid-19 crisis when Clint Capela was out, the veteran center could not cement his place in the rotation for a short-handed franchise. Dieng played his best game for the Hawks against the Minnesota Timberwolves which is fitting but has simply not done enough on the court for this signing to be considered a success.
Signing Re-Grade: D+