3 potential landing spots for Hawks veteran after GM Landry Fields' comments
In the words of general manager Landry Fields on media day, the Atlanta Hawks are “not a finished product.”
That is a potentially illuminating comment for several players on the roster. More notably, Fields also said they have not finalized plans for veteran backup center Cody Zeller’s role or even his place on the roster.
Since that remains the case, let’s look at some potential landing spots for Zeller.
Cleveland Cavaliers could use Hawks’ Cody Zeller
Team need is one of the most significant factors in our evaluation, and the Cleveland Cavaliers, at least on paper, profile as a team in need of depth at center.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks projects their depth chart to include backup Dean Wade, a power forward by trade, and 33-year-old Tristan Thompson behind starter Jarrett Allen. Both Thompson and Wade are listed at 6-foot-9.
The 7-foot Mobley will also log minutes at center.
But the Cavalier, like the Hawks, encountered serious depth issues at the position in 2023-24, including with Allen.
Zeller is tied with second-year big man Mouhamed Gueye, who is a 4 by trade, as the tallest player on the Hawks’ roster. He was also productive when he averaged double-digit minutes in 2022-23.
Zeller with 6.5 points and 4.3 rebounds with the Miami Heat in 2022-23.
That was a 15-game stretch, though, with Zeller making 42 appearances total in 2021-22 and 2022-23.
The irony is that Cleveland is the hometown of Hawks big man Larry Nance Jr. He spoke candidly about returning home after his playing days, saying his trade from the Cavaliers was “different” from the other times he was moved on “The Hoop Collective” in September.
Still, Zeller is a proven veteran and has relatively low mileage, especially in recent years.
He would also come cheap. Zeller is one of a three-year, $11 million contract with a $3.5 million salary in 2024-25.
He will get that regardless of whether or not the Hawks part ways, meaning a potential new team could pick him up for the veteran minimum. That is still $3.3 million, per Spotrac. But that potential team would not have to be concerned with Zeller holding out for more.
The Cavaliers have two players – Thompson and Sam Merrill – on non-guaranteed, non-exhibit-10 contracts that they can cut with no consequence.
Zeller, 32, is not much younger than Thompson. But the additional size could be a bonus for Cleveland with Wade already on hand to fill the undersized role. The Cavaliers are not the only team in need of center help.