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3 Hawks that earned untouchable status, 4 that should be cut loose

By Josh Cornelissen

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 22: Onyeka Okongwu #17 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts to a call during the second half against the Orlando Magic at State Farm Arena on December 22, 2021 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, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 22: Onyeka Okongwu #17 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts to a call during the second half against the Orlando Magic at State Farm Arena on December 22, 2021 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
Vit Krejci, Atlanta Hawks. Mandatory Credit: Larry Robinson-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3 to Cut Loose: Vit Krejci

We come to the very back end of the roster, where the Hawks need to decide who to keep around and who to let free to open up roster spots for new additions. We just discussed how Aaron Holiday is too small to be an effective backup to Trae Young, and Vit Krejci would seem to be the solution, a 6’8″ ball-handling guard. The problem is that Krejci is terrible.

That’s harsh, and Krejci will probably have a long international career, but he is certainly not an NBA player. He shot 40.5 percent from the field and 23.8 percent from 3-point range, and he isn’t a wizard playmaking either. Defensively he is too slow to handle guards and offers no rim protection (one block for the season). The Hawks can do better with that roster spot.

No. 4 to Cut Loose: Bruno Fernando

If the NBA has 450 full-time roster spots, Bruno Fernando has carved out a niche as a 6’9″ big man who continually resides in that 400-450 range. He’s not good enough to earn a rotation role but he’s just good enough to earn a roster spot. That’s been the store of his short career, which began in Atlanta and boomeranged around the league and finally back to the ATL.

Fernando is a decent enough finisher inside, but he offers no floor spacing (6-of-45 for his career) and is undersized at the 5. He is strong and bodies inside, and has always been good at cleaning the glass on either end of the court. The Hawks could keep him around as their third center, but they would be better served using that slot for a player with upside, especially if they could be a stretch big.

Next. 10 Potential free agent targets with ties to Quin Snyder. dark

The Atlanta Hawks have plenty of decisions to make about the future, and this offseason could see anything from small roster tweaks to massive overhauls. Whatever happens, expect certain players to stick around and others to be cut loose as the team tries to start a new era of Hawks basketball.