The Hawks need to change up their roster if they want to get back to contending in the postseason, and without some moves, that’s going to be difficult to accomplish. I like AJ Griffin, and Bogdan Bogdanovic just signed a lengthy extension. De’Andre Hunter could also be moved in the right package. I like the idea of shedding some salary and adding a few free agents that better fit Quin Snyder’s scheme, and I wouldn’t be surprised if more than one of these guys came up on Atlanta’s wishlist. I’ll be focusing on high-level defenders who can shoot. I’ll also be considering price and need; this isn’t a ranking of the best players. Big men and guards are listed below:
Ranking 2023 Free Agent Targets for the Hawks: Big Men
Ranking 2023 Free Agent Targets for the Hawks: Guards
16. G/F Alec Burks (Team Option)
Burks can give you shooting and scoring off of the bench, and if the Hawks are purely looking for buckets, he could make sense if the Pistons let him walk.
15. F Joe Ingles
A bit older and coming off of injury, Ingles is still a great outside shooter and defender. He would give the Hawks a lot of edge that they are missing.
14. F Terrence Ross
Ross has improved as a three point shooter in Phoenix, and he’s an athletic guy who can be a microwave off the bench. With his bounce and veteran leadership, he makes sense for the Hawks.
13. F Troy Brown Jr.
Brown does a little bit of everything, and he has had a solid playoff run with the Lakers. He can offer decent defense and shooting from outside, knocking down over 38% of his threes.
12. G/F Caris LeVert
LeVert isn’t the defender that some of the guys on this list are, but he can provide buckets in bunches off the bench — a big need for the Hawks.
11. F Matisse Thybulle (Restricted)
Thybulle is what he is at this point — he did shoot 36.5% from three, and that number jumped up closer to four attempts per game in Portland. What he mostly is is a tenacious defender who can get after almost anybody. I’m willing to bet on his developing outside shot; he was a much better shooter with the Blazers.
10. F Torrey Craig
Craig is your classic three-and-D guy, but he isn’t going to offer you much else. In terms of need for the Hawks, that could be just fine off the bench.
9. F Kenyon Martin Jr.
An exceptional athlete, if Martin can develop a reliable outside shot, he can mold into a really good player with his defensive upside. He’s only 22 years old.
8. F Jalen McDaniels
Not a very consistent perimeter shooter, but McDaniels can score in a variety of ways and defend multiple positions. He’s the type of versatile defender the Hawks should covet.
7. F Harrison Barnes
Barnes had a rough playoffs, but he’s still a guy who can get after it as a small ball power forward or wing and knock down open shots. He would give the Hawks some much needed defense and scoring.
6. G/F Josh Richardson
Coming off of a huge contract, Richardson may be willing to accept a different role in Atlanta if he buys into what Quin Snyder is selling. He’s a lengthy perimeter defender who shot over 36% from three last year.
5. F Jae Crowder
Crowder is your classic three-and-D veteran, and a guy who could give a young Hawks team a lot of guidance. If he shoots over 43% from three again, that would also be welcomed.
4. F Keita Bates-Diop
Bates-Diop is one of my favorite sleepers on this list, the Spurs are rebuilding and may not retain him, and he fits my mold of a guy who can defend multiple positions. He knocked down over 39% of his threes last season and shouldn’t break the bank, even with the Hawks in their current form.
3. G/F Josh Hart (Player Option)
Every team needs a few guys like Hart — he’s a tough defender who fights for rebounds and cans open threes. I doubt he leaves his buddy Jalen Brunson in New York, but if he hits free agency, the Hawks should absolutely consider adding him.
2. F Jerami Grant
Grant has been accused of being an empty calories type of player, but he has been on a lot of bad rosters. He can defend every position on the floor well and chip in 20 points per game shooting over 40% from three. He was my top target two years ago, and I still want him on the Hawks.
1. G/F Bruce Brown (Player Option)
If I had to rank my top target overall, it could very well be Bruce Brown. Even before his latest playoff outburst, he was first on this list. He’s a solid shooter and a rabid defender who won’t back down from any of the five positions. He’s always diving for loose balls and has even filled in at center. I love his game, and he’s the exact type of dawg the Hawks need on this team.
Photographer: Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire
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