Free Agents that the Hawks could be interested in (Backcourt)

This is part two of the three-part series of free-agent targets I like for the Hawks. I will be focusing on guards in this edition, with wing/frontcourt players next, and moving on from the first part — big men. Obviously, Atlanta’s number one priority will be bringing back John Collins, who is thankfully a restricted free agent. Atlanta will be shedding the big contracts of Tony Snell ($12 million) and possibly Lou Williams ($8 million), so even if the Hawks do ink John Collins to a big deal, they should be able to add a few pieces with Collins’ Bird Rights softening his cap hit. If you want to read about how much cap space the Hawks are projected to have, you can find that here.

I’m pretty comfortable with most of this roster, and although there aren’t many big-name free agents, I think the Hawks could add a lot of solid pieces around Trae Young like they did last offseason. Injuries were a big problem for the Hawks all season, and in the postseason, so I imagine they will continue to value the depth that got them to the Eastern Conference Finals.

It’s worth noting that it’s almost all but certain that Kris Dunn will pick up his $5 million player option, as a guy who didn’t get to play much in 2020-2021 will look to rebuild his stock with a guaranteed deal. This would hurt Atlanta’s ability to pick up another backup point guard, but I like Goodwin, Mays, Dunn, and Trae to handle that load. If you checked out my first Hawks mock draft, I had Atlanta selecting Illinois superstar Ayo Dosunmu to help out as well.

As far as shooting guards go, I don’t love a lot of the names available. With Kevin Huerter due for a new contract next offseason and Bogdan Bogdanović on a big contract, I could see the Hawks shying away from some of the names available. However, Travis Schlenk could be foaming at the mouth to capitalize on a very successful season and go all-in right now. I’ll be focusing on reliable backup guards who can shoot and defend, you can never have enough 3-and-D players in this league.

 

G Tim Hardaway Jr (Unrestricted Free Agent)

One of the better players on the Mavericks in these playoffs, the former Hawk wouldn’t come cheap, but you have to pay a premium price for a guy who plays solid defense on the perimeter and has shot almost 40% from beyond the arc over the past two seasons. I think he prices himself out of Atlanta’s range, but he deserved it after his 2020-2021 season.

 

G Alec Burks (Unrestricted Free Agent)

The Hawks got a taste of Alec Burks in the playoffs, and the 42% shooter from three-point range would be an instant replacement for Lou Williams if the Hawks don’t end up retaining him. Burks is a straight bucket that would provide a lot of scoring for the bench.

 

G Victor Oladipo (Unrestricted Free Agent)

I don’t think Oladipo is a good fit for the Hawks, while he did average almost 20 points per game last season, injuries have nagged him and he got those 20 points per game on almost 18 shots per game. Maybe on a one-year deal.

 

G Jamal Crawford (Unrestricted Free Agent)

I still have no idea why Jamal Crawford isn’t on an NBA roster. I think he could suit up tomorrow and give a team 40. Another former Hawk that I would be interested in.

 

G Austin Rivers (Unrestricted Free Agent)

Rivers isn’t the sexiest name, but he can play pretty solid perimeter defense on multiple positions and shot 37% from 3 last season. He could make a solid backup point guard if the Hawks really want to go in on solidifying the position.

 

G Alex Caruso (Unrestricted Free Agent)

The super-athletic Caruso is another guy who shot well in 2020-2021; canning over 40% of his three-pointers. He’s a high-energy backcourt defender that would immediately improve Atlanta’s backup point guard situation. I think he’s probably the best option for the Hawks.

 

G Gary Trent Jr. (Restricted Free Agent)

I doubt the Blazers let Trent Jr. walk, he’s a high-volume scorer that can get you a bucket from all three levels of the court. The former second-round pick has developed into a nice NBA role player.

 

G Avery Bradley (Team Option)

I could see the rebuilding rockets turning down Bradley’s team option, while he plays fantastic defense on wings and guards, he only shot 32.7% from deep last season. He could be worth a look for the Hawks on a one-year deal if his medicals check out.

 

G Josh Richardson (Player Option)

Richardson is a good defender, but I doubt he turns down an $11 million team option after only shooting 33% from three last season.

 

G Danny Green (Unrestricted Free Agent)

Danny Green is a guy who gets a lot of negative attention when he plays poorly, but he’s a two-time champion that plays really good defense and shot over 40% from three-point land in 2020-2021. He could be a solid vet piece for the Hawks.

 

G TJ McConnell (Unrestricted Free Agent)

While McConnell isn’t much of a scorer, he is a tenacious defender that would give Atlanta’s bench some defensive juice. McConnell averaged almost seven assists per game and shot 55% from the floor coming off the bench.

 

G Derrick Rose (Unrestricted Free Agent)

We saw some 2011 Derrick Rose in the playoffs against the Hawks, and I hope one of my favorite players ever still has something left in the tank. Rose put up almost 15 points per game and shot just under 39% from three, and I’m sure the Hawks would value his character.

 

G Dennis Smith Jr. (Restricted Free Agent)

DSJ was a disappointing lottery pick, but maybe the Hawks can tap into his upside. Nate McMillan may see something in the still young and still explosive point guard.