Soaring Down South
Fansided

8 Worst free agent signings in Atlanta Hawks history

By Tyler Watts

ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 01: Joe Johnson #2 of the Atlanta Hawks against the Boston Celtics at Philips Arena on April 1, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 01: Joe Johnson #2 of the Atlanta Hawks against the Boston Celtics at Philips Arena on April 1, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks, Jabari Parker (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

7. Jabari Parker

Parker’s career has been wrecked by injuries. The former number two overall pick is still only 28 years old, and he has not played a game this season. The last time he was a productive member of a rotation was back in 2020 with the Hawks. He broke out with the Bucks, including averaging over 20 points per game during the 2016-2017 season, but he tore his ACL in Feb. 2017 and has never been the same.

Parker had to settle for a two-year $13 million in the summer of 2019 with the Hawks. It was a prove-it type deal for the 24-year-old, and he appeared well on his way to doing just that. The 6’8 forward averaged 15.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.3 steals in 26.2 minutes per game, but he suffered a shoulder injury that kept him out for more than a month and virtually ended his time in Atlanta.

The Hawks traded Parker and Alex Len to the Kings for Dewayne Dedmon and two second-round picks just seven months after they signed the former Duke forward. Things went downhill quickly from there for Parker as he played just 31 games over the next two and half seasons.

Signing Jabari Parker at $6.5 million per season was a smart move by the Hawks, but it did not work out. This deal making the top seven could be viewed as impressive for Atlanta as many other teams have way worse signings on their list.