Fansided

NBA Free Agency 2018: 5 offseason targets for the Atlanta Hawks

By Jerry Christodoulatos

ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 10: John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks makes his entrance before the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on April 10, 2018 at Philips Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Kevin Liles/NBAE via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 10: John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks makes his entrance before the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on April 10, 2018 at Philips Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Kevin Liles/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
(Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

1. Jabari Parker

After the Bucks drafted him second overall in 2014, Jabari Parker’s time in Milwaukee might be at an end. Giannis Antetokounmpo has become a bona fide superstar and the Bucks are desperately trying to put together a competitive team together as his contract approaches its 2021 expiration date.  With two catastrophic knee injuries in four seasons, Jabari might just be too risky for the Bucks. They need a second star and production that they can count on as Giannis continues to mature and Parker is just such an unknown at this point. If the Bucks are unwilling to take a chance on Parker’s health and re-sign him on a fairly rich deal, they could look to cash in on him via sign and trade.

Before he tore his ACL in 2017, Jabari Parker was in an offensive groove all season. Parker seemed to be developing into the dynamic offensive player that scouts had projected him to become. He showed off an awesome all-around game, averaging over 20 points per game on a diverse shot diet. Parker has long had a nifty dribble drive game and a decent mid-range shot that allowed him to play out of the high post. But in 2017, he showed flashes of elite offensive ability.

Jabari was a terror attacking in transition, averaging a ridiculous 1.32 points per possession on such looks. That aggressive driving game allowed him to get to the line more frequently. He also made progress as a spot up threat, flashing legit 3-point range for the first time in his career. Jabari was getting up nearly four 3-point attempts per game, shooting them at a 37 percent clip. That helped open up an often crowded floor for the Bucks offense.

Parker didn’t look great upon returning from injury this past season. His ability to get to the rim and finish was clearly impacted. That’s understandable of course, but it’s worrisome in the long run. And on defense, Jabari was as bad as ever. His chances of ever becoming adequate on that end are low at best. Yet despite all the injury concerns and his lack of defensive competence, Jabari could be a great signing for the Hawks.  Adding him into the mix would represent a low-risk, high reward maneuver.

Next: 30 best NBA poster dunks of all time

If the Hawks throw an offer sheet Parker’s way, they could opt to offer a short deal that would overpay Parker. That would certainly make Milwaukee hesitant to match as well. Would the Bucks really be willing to match an offer sheet that approaches an annual salary amount of $20 million for example? While signing that contract could be disastrous for Milwaukee, that’s not the case for Atlanta. If Parker can approach his 2017 production levels on his next contract, the Hawks would gain a potentially elite offensive player. If he never regains his old form the team can cut bait quickly. Atlanta doesn’t project to be good for quite a while, so a disappointing Parker wouldn’t really impact their long-term plans. Again the fit with John Collins isn’t seamless, but it’s not particularly bad either.

Home/Atlanta Hawks