5 free agents the Atlanta Hawks should target
By Brad Weiss
![ATLANTA, GA - MAY 08: Fans hold up a sign in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on May 8, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) ATLANTA, GA - MAY 08: Fans hold up a sign in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on May 8, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/320301c730c1ef80e4748f741c9fc7d9e4b389a6d4a67e1302c96fcf9e00378d.jpg)
The Atlanta Hawks made it to the playoffs for a ninth straight year in 2016, but they took a step back. Let’s take a look at some potential free agent targets for the Hawks.
The Atlanta Hawks have quietly become a team that is a given when playoff time rolls around. This past season the Hawks went to their ninth straight playoffs, which is the longest streak in the Eastern Conference. In fact, only the San Antonio Spurs have a longer streak than the Hawks.
Heading into the off-season, the Hawks’ number one priority will be re-signing two of their better players who are both unrestricted free agents. Al Horford and Kent Bazemore are two huge pieces to the Atlanta puzzle, and getting them back on board for the 2016-17 season will be key if Atlanta wants to make it ten years to the playoffs in a row.
The Hawks recently traded starting point guard Jeff Teague to the Indiana Pacers as part of a three-team deal that netted them the number 12 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. Dennis Schröder will man the point for the Hawks this upcoming season, and he would love to have Bazemore and Horford back for another run.
Coming off a 48-win season, the Hawks will need to have a strong off-season to possibly reach their 60-win mark from the year before. The Hawks were swept by the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, their second consecutive season being swept by Cleveland.
It is clear that Horford and Bazemore are the Hawks’ top targets this free agency period, so here are five free agent targets from outside the organization.
Next: 5. Harrison Barnes