Hawks Potential Free Agents: Small Forward

We continue our list of potential Hawks free-agent targets with the small forward. If you missed the previous two installments of this series, click the links below.

• Point Guards
• Shooting Guards

Small Forwards

1. Brandon Ingram

As a 22-year-old, Ingram made a name for himself this past season. The fourth-year pro averaged nearly 24 points, over six rebounds, and four assists per game on his way to his first All-Star selection. Every team should be eyeing him this offseason, but unfortunately, he is a restricted free agent. Given the Hawks will have plenty of cap space, they should offer Ingram the max and force the Pelicans to match it. New Orleans should do that without hesitation.

2. Danilo Gallinari

Gallinari said recently that money isn’t as important as playing for a contender at this point in his career. Perhaps the Hawks could offer him both. Sure, Atlanta has been one of the worst teams in the league over the last few seasons, but it isn’t going to take much for them to turn the corner, and Gallinari would certainly help them do so. He doesn’t get enough credit for just how good he is, and his shooting prowess on the wing is exactly what the Hawks are missing.

3. Jae Crowder

Crowder is a defensive specialist who increased his stock tremendously with the Heat, shooting over 44% from behind the arc in the regular season’s final twenty games. His success continued into the playoffs, as he started all 21 games for Miami on their way to an NBA Finals appearance. His shooting, and especially his defense, would be a welcomed addition to a young Hawks team.

4. Derrick Jones Jr. 

Jones Jr. has shown some promise as a young player in the league, thanks to his bouncy athleticism. He still lacks the three-point shot, but he will only be 23 next year, and that might be something the Hawks thing they can fix. If he can improve as an outside shooter, he will have a long NBA career as a 3-and-D wing. Recently, Shams mentioned the Hawks as a potential landing spot for Derrick Jones Jr. this offseason.