Grade the Hawks: Caris LeVert, Georges Niang & Terance Mann make debuts

The Atlanta Hawks were 4-6 on the second night of a back-to-back heading into the tilt against the Washington Wizards on Saturday. The Wizards entered the night extremely short-handed, but that cannot take away from the resilience the Hawks showed with their new players.

So, how did those new guys do?

All things told, it went well. The Hawks got the W, and each of their new members contributed in a meaningful way.

Georges Niang leads charge in 3Q

The Hawks acquired Niang in the package they received from the Cleveland Cavaliers for De’Andre Hunter. 

The first 24 minutes of Niang’s tenure were misleading. He snagged 5 rebounds, dished out 1 assist, and had 1 steal. But he was 1-for-4 from the floor and 0-for-3 from beyond the arc. His 40.5% mark from deep on the season seemed to be in jeopardy.

Then the third quarter arrived.

Niang scored 12 of his 16 points in the frame, knocking down four straight triples and helping extend the Hawks’ lead from 8 points to 14 points over a roughly three-minute span.

The veteran, who spent four seasons under Hawks head coach Quin Snyder with the Utah Jazz from 2017-18 through 2020-21, also stopped a 12-0 Wizards run early in the fourth quarter with his final bucket.

Grade – B+: A faster start would have been nice, but Niang’s third-quarter surge was vital.

Caris LeVert finds a way

LeVert arrived averaging the most points of Hawks’ three new additions. Like Niang early, though, efficiency was an issue. LeVert’s woes lasted through the game, with the swingman going 2-for-6 (1-for-4 3P) shooting the ball.

He finished with 9 points thanks to his 4-for-4 mark at the free throw line. LeVert also snagged three rebounds and showed his ability to create his own offense and cut to the basket.

However, fouls were an issue as LeVert finished with 5 but had 3 in the opening frame.

LeVert, 30, is an unrestricted free agent after the season, so his panning out is not as critical as Niang, 31, who still has another season on his contract. Still, he too was part of the return for Hunter and is a needed contributor this season. 

Perhaps his foul trouble adversely affected his efficiency, though he seemed to follow similar rotation patterns until not seeing the floor in the fourth quarter.

Grade – C+: Inefficiency and foul trouble plagued arguably the most versatile new Hawk.

Terance Mann has fills vital role

The Hawks acquired Terance Mann from the Los Angeles Clippers in the deal that sent fan favorite Bogdan Bogdanovic out. With the Hawks’ decision to waive Bones Hyland, they need Mann to pan out lest their decisions continue to be questioned.

Mann is the youngest of the new Hawks at 28. He also arrived averaging the fewest PPG among the group. However, his ability to operate both on and off the ball are essential.

The Hawks can run their second-unit offense through Vit Krejci.

He combined with fellow reserve Larry Nance Jr. to record 26 points, 14 rebounds, 8 assists (7 by Krejci). But Krejci has spoken about not being a natural point guard. Mann is not either, but they offer enough to survive while starter Trae Young (35 points, 14 assists in the win) rests.

Mann had 4 points on 2-for-5 FG with 3 assists a 1 rebound. He did not attempt a three, was 0-for-2 on free throws, and had 3 personals.

Grade – C: Not everyone is going to be a star, but passable could define Mann’s night.