3. Riser: Saddiq Bey
The battle to replace Collins seemed destined to have a clear winner and loser. But Snyder was adamant that would not be the case. Through seven games, Saddiq Bey has been proof positive of that.
Bey has started three of seven games this season and is averaging 12.1 points on career-highs of 48.4% overall and 40.6% from deep.
He is also averaging a career-best 5.9 rebounds.
Acquired for a handful of second-round picks at the trade deadline last season, Bey was a key part of the Hawks’ rotation and – similar to Griffin – profiled as someone who fit what Snyder wanted to do. That also seemed to give him the edge over Johnson as the regular starter, and Bey did start the season opener.
But even as Johnson has asserted himself in his opportunities, Bey has exactly not wasted his.
Saddiq's shot smooth like butter pic.twitter.com/Xb9BChGAtq
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) November 7, 2023
Bey has been better off the bench, though. He boasts a 12.8/7.0/2.0 line as a reserve and an 11.3/4.3/0.3 line as a starter.
Perhaps the margin between Bey and Johnson becomes clearer as the season progresses. He has come off the bench in each of the last two games. But he was someone the Hawks were high on and wanted to keep around. But the deadline to get an extension done passed without a deal. Still, it’s not surprising to see him playing well so far.