Media day has passed, and the preseason is underway, leading most fans to believe the Hawks are done making roster moves. While that could be the case, an amazing opportunity just fell into their lap thanks to the Indiana Pacers.
This morning, the team announced that they had signed veteran guard Cameron Payne. To clear up space for Payne, they had to waive Delon Wright. This is a puzzling move for a team that seems like a perfect fit for Wright on paper.
His defensive intensity and intelligent shot selection will be hitting the open market, making him one of the most valuable free agent guards remaining. Atlanta could use an extra guard or two after trading away Kobe Bufkin to the Brooklyn Nets for cash considerations. The only true point guard on the roster, outside of Trae Young, is Keaton Wallace.
While Wallace has displayed flashes of brilliance in limited minutes, he is still just on a two-way contract, giving Atlanta the need for insurance at that spot.
Hawks would stay true to their identity by bringing in Wright.
GM Onsi Saleh emphasized that the team is comfortable entering the season without a traditional backup point guard, and for good reason. The ball-handling and offensive creation abilities of newcomers Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard make this a much easier pill to swallow.
Signing Delon Wright, however, would not disrupt that ideology. It is true that he is listed as a point guard, but he is a capable off-ball player and would not command minutes every night. He simply would be a reliable option if one of Atlanta's backup combo guards went down with an injury.
Last season for the New York Knicks, Wright put up solid numbers in a similar role to what he would see in Atlanta. In just over 16 minutes a night, he averaged 4.3 points 1.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists on efficient shooting splits.
In his lone season with the Atlanta Hawks, just a few years ago, Wright looked like a perfect fit next to Trae Young. He averaged 4.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists while displaying stellar on-ball defense and being an overall low-volume, high-impact player.
This would not be a blockbuster signing, but the Hawks do not need it to be. It would, however, be a move that gives Hawks fans extra confidence heading into the season in case the second unit does not produce as expected.