Grading the Atlanta Hawks’ surprising signing of Wesley Matthews
By Dalton Sell
Grading the Atlanta Hawks’ signing of free agent guard Wesley Matthews
This particular move is the clear-cut definition of a low-risk signing for the Atlanta Hawks.
Financially, Matthews is costing the team essentially nothing in NBA terms, and he fills a major hole in terms of another big-wing defender. If he lives up to that defensive stature and gives the Hawks a boost on that side of things, this deal could end up becoming tremendous value-wise in the blink of an eye. If not, it’s not like the Atlanta Hawks are paying him an absurd amount.
At the bare minimum, Matthews will be a nice veteran presence who can also provide some wing depth for the Hawks. The best-case scenario is that Matthews provides excellent defense against other wings whenever he steps on the court, which would make him a nice piece off of the bench. It could truly swing either way, but it’s a nice gamble for the Hawks with little to no risk involved.
This signing won’t end up on any “10 best signings of 2023 NBA Free Agency” list, but it’s a solid move for the Atlanta Hawks as they look to compete for a championship next season.
Grade: B+
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Stay tuned for more Atlanta Hawks analysis, breakdowns, and rumblings this off-season.