Hawks: Top 10 free agent wish list rankings

With free agency finally kicking off tomorrow, Atlanta has been very busy. Travis Schlenk has linked himself to multiple players, and with expectations to make the playoffs very high for Lloyd Pierce & co, I fully expect Atlanta to bring in at least one big-name using their gobs of cap space. The Hawks already addressed some needs in the draft by selecting Onyeka Okongwu 6th overall and Skylar Mays at 50. Now it’s time to fill out the roster with impact veterans.

 

Honorable Mention:

G/F Derrick Jones Jr, G Reggie Jackson, G Kris Dunn, F Dario Saric, F Jae Crowder, G Avery Bradley, F Paul Millsap, G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, I’m sure I’m missing a few.

 

#10: G/F Rodney Hood

2020 Stats: 11 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.5 APG, 50.6% FG, 49.3% 3P

Hood may want to play for a contender, but I love his shooting ability off the bench. He turned down his $6 million player option, so he may be looking for a payday. Hood would be higher on this list, but his defense is pretty average. Not sure if Atlanta should pay a pretty penny for him; they should aim a little higher.

 

#9: G Malik Beasley (RFA)

2020 Stats: 11.2 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 1.4 APG, 42.5% FG, 38.8% 3P

Legal troubles aside, Malik Beasley is a walking bucket. The Atlanta native is facing a few felony charges, so Minnesota may not match any offer he gets. If he’s cheap, I’m more than interested. His 24th birthday is in a few days, so if he’s not in serious trouble, he fits this team’s timeline.

 

#8: G Elfrid Payton

2020 Stats: 10 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 7.2 APG, 43.9% FG, 20.3% 3P

Payton was waived by the Knicks earlier this week, but he makes a lot of sense as a backup PG for the Hawks. He’s not the best 3-point shooter, but I like his defense and ball-handling ability. He’d be great coming off of the bench to take the pressure off of Trae.

 

#7: G Rajon Rondo

2020 Stats: 7.1 PPG, 3 RPG, 5 APG, 41.8 FG%, 32.8 3P%

There are already reports that Atlanta has a significant offer prepared for Rondo, and the fit makes a lot of sense. Rondo used to be a notoriously bad shooter, but he’s much improved. He gets the edge over Payton for his three-ball, veteran presence, passing, and defense. I wouldn’t be surprised if Rondo comes to Atlanta if he doesn’t go to the Clippers.

 

#6: G/F Bogdan Bogdanović (RFA)

2020 Stats: 15.1 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 3.4 APG, 44% FG, 37.2% 3P

There was a sign and trade to Milwaukee in place, but the Kings forgot one thing — Bogdanović never agreed to it. Now it’s reported that Atlanta is a front-runner for him.

Sources: The Bucks will pursue a sign-and-trade for Kings restricted free agent Bogdan Bogdanovic. He'd be another huge addition following the addition of Jrue Holiday. The Hawks will also pursue Bogdanovic, but the Bucks can sell him on competing for a championship with Giannis.

— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) November 17, 2020

Bogdanović makes way too much sense for the Hawks; he’s a walking bucket. His defense is pretty average, but he’d thrive off of dimes from Trae Young.

 

#5: G/F Gordon Hayward

2020 Stats: 17.5 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 4.1 APG, 50% FG, 38.3% 3P

There were some trade rumors leading up to the draft around Hayward and the Hawks, but Atlanta clearly made the right move by holding out. Hayward declined a massive $34 million player option to leave Boston, so who knows how much money he may command. He’s not the player he used to be, but he’s still one of the best options available on the market. 

#4: G Joe Harris

2020 Stats: 14.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.1 APG, 48.6% FG, 42.4% 3P

Harris is another name that has been linked to Atlanta, and for a good reason. He’s a deadeye 3-point shooter and would immediately provide Atlanta’s bench with some firepower. Trae Young would relish dishing to him on the wing.

 

#3: F Davis Bertans

2020 Stats: 15.4 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.7 APG, 43.4% FG, 42.4% 3P

I’ve covered Bertans before, and he should be very appealing to the Hawks. We’ve had our eye on him for a while, and a stretch 4 with defensive chops standing at 6’10 will attract a lot of teams. The Wizards would be wise to offer him a massive contract to come back.

 

#2: F Danilo Gallinari

2020 Stats: 18.7 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.9 APG, 43.8% FG, 40.5% 3P

Gallo is so intriguing. He’s reportedly “prepared to sign with the Hawks” when free agency opens, and I see what Travis Schlenk is so excited about. He’s always been a knockdown shooter, and he’s a terrific scorer that can make things easier for Trae Young. Gallo is actually a decent defender too, so I’m all in if Atlanta offers him a big contract.

 

#1: F Jerami Grant

2020 Stats: 12 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.2 APG, 47.8% FG, 38.9% 3P

Easy number one choice.

I’ve been all over Jerami Grant since he declined his player option, and he would be perfect for the Hawks. Grant plays exceptional defense, and his 3-ball at the PF position is just icing on the cake. He’s exactly what Atlanta needs  — shooting, lockdown defense, and can power forward behind John Collins. He would get plenty of minutes, and I’d be willing to fork out BIG money for him.