As I have in each segment of this series, I will not be focusing on necessarily the best possible power forwards available, but rather guys that the Hawks could be interested in. The Hawks already have John Collins at power forward, so they should be eyeing reserve players that could provide a spark off the bench. If you missed any previous parts to this series, click the links below:
Power Forwards
1. Davis Bertans
Bertans has been linked to Atlanta for quite a while now, and I believe he will be one of the Hawks’ top targets as they attempt to improve their three-point shooting as a team. The 6’10” sniper shot 42.4% from behind the arc last year for the Washington Wizards, averaging 15.4 points per game. He’s used to coming off the bench (played in 54 games last season with only 4 starts) and would be a fantastic sixth-man for Atlanta, something they have been sorely missing over the last couple of seasons.
2. Jerami Grant
Grant is a hybrid that can play the three or the four and defend nearly every position on the floor while also shooting close to 40% from three. He’s another guy the Hawks have been linked to and would be a tremendous boost off the bench.
3. Paul Millsap
Millsap is coming off the final year of his three-year, $90 million contract with the Denver Nuggets. He’s not the player he once was, but his tough-nosed defense, veteran leadership, and three-point shooting will have a lot of teams vying for his services. I didn’t even realize this, but his three-point shooting percentage was all the way up to 43.5% last season. I think a reunion with Atlanta would be exactly what the Hawks need; however, he may be more interested in competing for championships at this point in his career.
4. Bobby Portis
Portis signed a fat one-year deal with the New York Knicks last offseason. It comes with a team option for next season at $15.75 million, but I doubt New York will pick it up. However, he should be in line for a multi-year contract of some sort after averaging a respectable 10.1 points on 45% shooting from the field and 35.8% shooting from three. Portis is a quality backup plan if the bidding for Bertans, Millsap, and Grant gets too high.
5. Dario Saric
Saric is a restricted free agent, so we will see how interested the Suns are in keeping him, but the Hawks have the type of money to make any team uncomfortable. He’s been a consistent player his entire career, averaging 12.2 points on 44.1% from the field and 35.8% from behind the arc to go along with 6.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists over four seasons in the league. Saric would be a nice bench piece for Atlanta if Phoenix isn’t interested in offering him a substantial contract.
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