Atlanta Hawks: Nine free agents who can play D (cheaply)
It might be important for the Hawks to get a guy like Bell, who is willing and able to do this.
Taking a break from J.J. and the Dwight-influenced fascination with centers for a reminder that perimeter D was more of a problem for the Hawks last season (and during that series) than post D.
L.D. can preach defense all he wants but he needs more guards and wings who can take the proverbial “individual challenge” of guarding their man; the lack of those guys last season hurt Atlanta more than anything else on defense. The good news for the Hawks is it’s easier to find a free agent who can fill that role relatively cheaply, like perhaps for part of their bi-annual exception of up to two years and $4.3 million.
Let me start by saying that, despite the development of advanced statistics, it still can be a subjective exercise to measure good defense. Synergy’s numbers, the counterpart production at 82games and the defensive ratings at Hoopdata, Basketball Reference and Basketball Prospectus all are invaluable for helping to create a statistical picture of a guy’s defensive impact. But it’s difficult to isolate individual defensive performance because it’s influenced so much by s teammates, role, position, and the quality of opponents. Even blocks and steals can be misleading because those things can be sought out at the expense of team defensive concepts.
(Thanks to super commenter niremetal for reminding me of all of this in an email he sent me defending Marvin’s defensive performance after I criticized it way back when.)
With those caveats in mind, here are some unrestricted free agents who could come at a bargain and who might be able to keep their man in front of them better than any perimeter guys on Atlanta’s roster save for maybe Teague and Mo. Listed in descending order of 2009-10 salary with statistics from last season.
MC
Raja Bell , 6-5, G
2009-10 salary: $5.2 million
Synergy opponent points per possession: Lack of data
Opponent points per production: Lack of data
Team defensive efficiency: Lack of data
Notes: Injuries cost Bell most of the last two seasons so his price will come down. But he’s a good defender and 3-point shooter and also known as a good locker-room guy, so there should be a pretty good market for Bell. He says he likes Dallas, Orlando and Miami.
Dorell Wright, 6-9, F
2009-10 salary: $2.9 million
Synergy opponent points per possession: .95 overall, 1.04 isolation, .98 spot-up.
Opponent production per 48 minutes (at small forward): .461 eFG%, 18.2 points, 15.4 PER.
Team defensive efficiency: 104.7 on court, 105.6 off court.
Notes: Wright is a plus athlete, can defend three positions and and comes from a program where defense is the focus. Wright came on for the Heat in the latter part of last season. He’s a definite injury risk due to a problematic knee. The flip side of that is he’s only played 211 career games at 24-years old.
Tony Allen, 6-4, G
2009-10 salary: $2.5 million
Synergy opponent points per possession: .85 overall, .89 isolation, .89 pick-and-roll balhhandley
Opponent production per 48 minutes (at shooting guard): .455 eFG%, 15.4 points, 13.2 PER.
Team defensive efficiency: 105.3 on court, 105.4 off court.
Notes: Allen’s stature got a boost when Kobe credited him for being a tough defender in the Finals. His offense pretty much is limited to what he can get around the basket.
Jordan Farmar, G, 6-2
2009-10 salary: $1.9 million
Synergy opponent points per possession: .81 overall, .82 isolation, .76 pick-and-roll ballhandler.
Opponent production per 48 minutes: .436 eFG% , 19.2 points, 15.6 PER.
Team defensive efficiency: 104.5 on court, 104.8 off court.
Note: The Lakers declined to extend a qualifying offer to Farmar and then signed Steve Blake for four years and $20 million. Farmar says he wants to start at point guard but the Lakers decided he couldn’t run their team. He’s still only 23-years old.
Antoine Wright, 6-7, F/G
2009-10 salary: $1.8 million
Synergy opponent points per production: .90 overall, .70 isolation, .90 spot-up.
Opponent production per 48 minutes (at small forward): .497 eFG%, 20.4 points, 17.7 PER.
Team defensive efficiency: 111.8 on court, 115.7 off court.
Notes: Wright fell out of favor in Toronto even though he’s what passed for a tough defender on that team. He’s another guy who’s limited offensively. The Celtics are said to be interested.
Matt Barnes, F, 6-7
2009-10 salary: $1.6 million
Synergy opponent points per possession: .86 overall, .85 isolation, .95 spot-up
Opponent production per 48 minutes (at small forward): .446 eFG%, 18.2 points, 13.3 PER.
Team defensive efficiency: 103.9 on court, 105.3 off court.
Notes: Barnes wants a significant raise. He may not get it from Orlando, which is using at least parts of its mid-level to sign Chris Duhon. His best asset might be his desire to mix it up on defense against the bets opponents.
Rodney Carney, F, 6-7
2009-10 salary: $825,500
Synergy opponent points per possession: 1.02 overall, .76 isolation, 1.26 spot-up.
Opponent production per 48 minutes (at shooting guard): .447 eFG%, 17.4 points, 13.8 PER.
Team defensive efficiency: 111.0 on court, 111.8 off court.
Notes: Carney is a good athlete who runs the floor well and wants to play D. Philly isn’t interested in re-signing Carney and there doesn’t seem to be much buzz about him going elsewhere.
Ime Udoka, 6-5, G/F
2009-10 salary: $787,000
Synergy opponent points per possession: .96 overall, .85 isolation, 1.15 spot-up.
Opponent production per 48 minutes (at shooting guard): .477 eFG%, 22.8 points, 15.4 PER.
Team defensive efficiency: 108.0 on court, 112.0 off court.
Notes: Udoka might be available for the minimum. Once a good 3-point shooter for Portland, Udoka mysteriously has seemed to lose his touch since then.
Rafer Alston
2009-10 salary: $495, 298
Synergy opponent points per possession: .91 overall, .83 isolation, ,91 pick-and-roll ballhandler
Opponent production per 48 minutes: .442 eFG%, 17.5 points, 14.1 PER.
Team defensive efficiency: 106.2 on court, 105.1 off court.
Notes: Alston wants another shot in the NBA after going AWOL from the Heat to attend to personal family business. He says he’s willing to fill any role. Alston still can provide some spot minutes running a team.
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156 comments Add your comment
Astro Joe
July 7th, 2010
5:17 pm
@MC, I agree that we need a back-up SF, that has more size than Evans. I like Wright for that role (my original thought was Devean George or Trenton Hassell). Evans had a strong rep as a defender prior to joining the Hawks. I’m not so sure that he will keep that rep after leaving the Hawks.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 7th, 2010
5:18 pm
“What about trading Smith and Marvin for Gerald Wallace and Tyson Chandler? The salaries match!”
Pretty even trade in terms of talent, but I’d be wary about trading two durable guys like Smoove and Marvin for two players who are as injury-prone as Wallace and Chandler.
clarkekent
July 7th, 2010
5:22 pm
other than joe johnson, who else on the projected starting 5 can shoot consistently from 15ft out to the 3pt line?
teague
johnson
williams
smith
horford
O'Brien
July 7th, 2010
5:24 pm
I’m with Jo-Jo on this one. Right now, the Hawks have 10 players who will probably see PT. Rick Sund needs to make trades to address some needs, because signing one more defenders will give us 11, plus we still need at least one big, which gives us 12. And that does not include Chills.
I think this comes back to Rick Sund again. Maybe he could have had Matt Barnes last year for part of the mid-level. Maybe we could have traded Bibby if he only had 1 year left. If only Marvin wasn’t signed for $7.5 mil, we could have signed 2 or 3 off your list.
From your list, I like Matt Barnes as a backup SF, and I like Jordan Farmar at PG (I would even give him the chance to start over Teague). I think Rafer Alston would be a better fit due to his price though.
Melvin
July 7th, 2010
5:25 pm
How dumb does Joe Dumars look now. Instead of saving the cash last summer and being a player in this summer great FA class, he spends the money on Charlie V and Ben Gordon. That comes after the Darko and Stuckey pick and Billups trade. Why is he still employed as a GM?
Melvin
July 7th, 2010
5:25 pm
Boozer and Amare will be in the east next season. Will the west have any bigs next season? Heck, even if we move Al to the PF, I can’t seeing him make the ASG as forward over Boozer, Amare or Bosh. You know KG and Lebron will be the starting forwards….
MannyT
July 7th, 2010
5:25 pm
From a value perspective, I think I’d want Wright or Carney.
Defensively, we need someone who can guard a LeBron, Paul Pierce. Marvin is the best physical matchup for that job on this team. It would be nice to have a bench option that was comparable so it didn’t fall to JJ when Marvin isn’t in the game.
I’d lean toward an all purpose forward, but could live with a guy that gives something on offense. If you wanna shake something up, make an offer to Detroit for T. Prince. You get D, a good expiring contract, and a guy that should fit well with our athletes.
Unfortunately, to get him you will have to give something. Has his value fallen enough to offer Marvin & Mo? Why–b/c you can do a lot with almost 22 mil in expiring contracts next season. (Prince & Crawford)
clarkekent
July 7th, 2010
5:26 pm
Davenpoop – ditto.. totally agree
Najeh Davenpoop
July 7th, 2010
5:28 pm
While most of the sports media is falling all over themselves to follow LeBron’s every move, this is probably the harshest take on this whole free agency saga I’ve seen written so far.
Melvin
July 7th, 2010
5:29 pm
MC,
Fair point. I just thought those are the type of guys you look to sign mid-July into August not within the 1st week of the signing period…
Najeh Davenpoop
July 7th, 2010
5:30 pm
Marvin & Mo for Prince would be a dream scenario. Expiring contract, veteran locker room presence with championship experience, defense at least as good as Marvin if not significantly better… and Prince doesn’t get the credit he deserves as a 3-point shooter either. 37% career from the line is nothing to sneeze at. I’d be surprised if the Hawks get anything substantial for either of those players, though.
Viagree
July 7th, 2010
5:33 pm
Regardless of whether the Bulls get Lebron, the Hawks are still a top 3 team in the East based upon talent. How effective the new offense will be, as well as how the team chemistry will shake up after any trades still remains to be seen. However, as long as you have Al Horford, Josh Smith, and Joe Johnson on the team, you’re going to be a threat to anyone.
Jody
July 7th, 2010
5:44 pm
@MC
I sincerely hope the Hawks see what’s going on with the other teams around them (Miami, Chicago, possibly New York). I think the statement was made that they realized re-signing JJ was not enough to make them title contenders and that’s definitely true. However, simply adding cheap pieces to round out the roster isn’t going to cut it either. Are the Hawks just blowing smoke or are they genuinely serious about putting together a legit contender? I know it’s still early, but I thought I’d ask your opinion?
macaroni tony
July 7th, 2010
5:44 pm
http://blogs.indystar.com/pacersinsider/archives/2010/07/obrien_talks_ab.html
macaroni tony
July 7th, 2010
5:47 pm
Its early in the draft part of the season I will wait to see how things play themselves out. Miami don’t have enough money in the salary cap to put together a championship type team. They only have four players with Bosh and Wade.
Ken Strickland
July 7th, 2010
5:49 pm
Here’s what I’d do if I was Sund. We know the ASG is willing to go into luxury tax territory to acquire a starting quality center, and the Hornets are desperate to get rid of the contract of their starting center, EOkafor. Suppose we trade MWilliams($7.5M)and MEvans($2.5M)for Okafor($10.8M). You can see the numbers work.
We get the starting quality center we covet, without going into luxury tax territory, or having to utilize our MLE, and they get out of his contract and receive some short and long term financial flexibility. Then, if we choose, we can use our MLE to sign 1 or 2 of the players listed above, or resign Chills and use only a portion of our MLE, or not use it at all.
Rod from College Park
July 7th, 2010
5:53 pm
Najeh Davenpoop,
“Marvin & Mo for Prince would be a dream scenario. Expiring contract, veteran locker room presence with championship experience, defense at least as good as Marvin if not significantly better… and Prince doesn’t get the credit he deserves as a 3-point shooter either. 37% career from the line is nothing to sneeze at. I’d be surprised if the Hawks get anything substantial for either of those players, though.”
Would love that trade. What do you mean defense at least as good as? Significantly better would be correct. Prince is a two or three time 2nd team all defensive player, who actually was asked, and did lock down great players in the playoffs(Reggie Miller) when it mattered. Marvin has never locked anything but his car or house.
Mike is back
July 7th, 2010
5:59 pm
MC, I would have to go with Burns out of that group, and MO as an internal solution. Sund will have to get creative to move Bibby…however before the start of the season he needs to come up with something. If JOneal can keep getting traded…surely there is hope for us with Bibby.
TROTTINGHOME
July 7th, 2010
6:00 pm
To bad so sad…once that so called unique offense gets torn a new azz it won’t matter who they bring in…
northcyde
July 7th, 2010
6:01 pm
Melvin
July 7th, 2010
5:25 pm
Boozer and Amare will be in the east next season. Will the west have any bigs next season? Heck, even if we move Al to the PF, I can’t seeing him make the ASG as forward over Boozer, Amare or Bosh. You know KG and Lebron will be the starting forwards….
***********************
I was just thinking the exact same thing. Horford and Smoove will have to be stellar to make the All-Star game next year.
terrell
July 7th, 2010
6:05 pm
“A glorified Mario West”. lol! Najeh you’re wrong for that. lol! That being said, I’d take Allen over Mario in a millisecond.
nique
July 7th, 2010
6:06 pm
Isn’t this what Mo Evans is for?
N-Trigue
July 7th, 2010
6:15 pm
MC
What about Travis outlaw? Do you think he will fit with the Hawks.
ryan
July 7th, 2010
6:16 pm
It looks like Shaq is coming to the Hawks because Celtics are going Brad Miller and Mavs are going after David Lee.
mark
July 7th, 2010
6:18 pm
teach mario how to hit a set shot with playing time he can play some perimeter defense. zaza work on his 12-15ft. jumper. he will bang. add a serviceable big man. and one pure shooter. we can still be top 4n the east.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 7th, 2010
6:20 pm
What about Dahntay Jones? Same salary as Mo Evans, good 3-point shooter, good defender, 2 more years left on his deal at under $3 million per year, and Indiana has been clearing salary so they may be open to moving him for Evans’ expiring deal. The guy was pretty valuable on Denver’s Western Conference Finals team a couple of years ago. I’d take him over a lot of the guys on this list, especially at his salary.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 7th, 2010
6:21 pm
Heh… upon further review I take back the “good 3-point shooter” part of that post, but the rest of it still stands… Jones would be a cheap, effective perimeter defender with playoff experience who probably wouldn’t be too hard to acquire in a trade.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 7th, 2010
6:23 pm
“It looks like Shaq is coming to the Hawks because Celtics are going Brad Miller and Mavs are going after David Lee.”
If LeBron returns to Cleveland, I don’t see Shaq leaving there unless the Cavs specifically ask him not to return.
mark
July 7th, 2010
6:28 pm
chris bosh is a damn fool
macaroni tony
July 7th, 2010
6:37 pm
I feel you Mark, that’s a lot of money that he’s leaving on the table. And I don’t think that the Heat will have a good team.
Simpdawg
July 7th, 2010
6:39 pm
The Hawks are steady falling behind the other teams in the Eastern Conference by the hour. They better hurry and make some moves, before all the good affordable free agents are gone. They’ve already made a big mistake in resigning Joe Johnson for the max, but they need to move forward with their free agent plans. Shaq is not the answer.
True Atlanta Fan
July 7th, 2010
6:39 pm
I love how people could not stop talking about the Magic and the moves we should make to get past them. Well now we got Bosh and Wade to deal in Miami. I think Allen, Farmar and Barnes (not for the midlevel exception) would be awesome preliminary moves but we need more than the “cheapest D” to get past the second round. Im just hoping Sund can pull off good trade moves (e.g Acie and Speedy for Jamal Crawford). Also Im hoping JJ is getting his “recruiting” on. The Southeast is going to be one of the hardest divisions no doubt.
macaroni tony
July 7th, 2010
6:44 pm
@MC this is the link to say the the lead assistant will be Lester Conner:
http://blogs.indystar.com/pacersinsider/archives/2010/07/obrien_talks_ab.html
Brian
July 7th, 2010
6:45 pm
Anyone that thinks the Hawks are a top 3 team is silly. They were not even a top 3 team last year. Boston proved they’re still a better team than Atlanta. The playoffs proved that. The minor difference in the record of the Hawks and Celtics was the fact that Boston had lots of injuries while the Hawks had almost none.
Section 303
July 7th, 2010
6:45 pm
Looking over Michael’s list, again, I have to say four guys really jump out at me. Would love to see the Hawks land at least one of these guys: Rodney Carney, Jordan Farmer, Tony Allen, Matt Barnes.
Anyone remember when the Hawks played the Celtics, here in Atlanta, to complete the season sweep? Tony Allen came in and just locked up Joe Johnson on the final play of the first half. Iso-Joe was no problem for Allen. That was the first time I had even heard Tony Allen’s name.
Carney would fit well, too. Great, great athlete. He would fit right in. Farmer could take over some of the PG duties, assuming no Bibby.
I love Raja Bell, but doubt he would play here, And, I don’t agree that he would come cheap. That guy probably has a pretty high opinion of himself. He would need to be shown the money.
James
July 7th, 2010
6:46 pm
Once LeBron leaves the Cavs the Hawks need to make some trades with them we will give them Mike Bibby & Josh Smith for Mo Williams & Anderson Varejao
Hawks Team 2011.
PG – Mo Williams/Jeff Teaque
SG – Joe Johnson/Jamal Crawford
SF – Matt Barnes/Marvin Williams
PF – Al Horford/Zaza Pachulia
C – Shaquille O’Neal/Zydrunas Ilgauskas
Brian
July 7th, 2010
6:49 pm
That last trade idea is horrible. Mo Williams is a worse playoff performer than Joe Johnson. That team you listed there wouldn’t win 45 games.
kelvin davis
July 7th, 2010
6:52 pm
Ok whoever thought of the trade for Tyson Chandler and Gerald Wallace are really smart. We can easily replace Marvin Williams and Josh Smith and the salaries do match so money isn’t an issue. What do yall think?
Reginald
July 7th, 2010
6:59 pm
MC
The Hawks should look at Shaun Livingston
Section 303
July 7th, 2010
6:59 pm
Brian, I do….I think the Hawks will better themselves this offseason. We’ll see….
ryan
July 7th, 2010
7:05 pm
From what i am hearing on LeBron is that he going to choose Miami so that will mean Shaq will most likely sign with Atlanta.
Michael Cunningham
July 7th, 2010
7:07 pm
@ Reginald: “The Hawks should look at Shaun Livingston”
he might be worth a look. another “street” free agents out there is Mike James though, knowing him, he probably still thinks he should start.
Michael Cunningham
July 7th, 2010
7:08 pm
@macaroni: saw that on Conner but i keep hearing it’s not certain so i’m holding off on putting it out there.
Michael Cunningham
July 7th, 2010
7:09 pm
@Sec 303: “I love Raja Bell, but doubt he would play here, And, I don’t agree that he would come cheap. That guy probably has a pretty high opinion of himself. He would need to be shown the money.”
he’s probably in line to get the most cash of these guys.
Tuck
July 7th, 2010
7:14 pm
I’ve watched Farmar since college. He has never had the speed to adequately defend fast point guards. He isn’t Mike-Bibby-at-34 slow, but you would still have to hide him some against the quick penetrating point guards that Atlanta already has trouble defending.
Michael Cunningham
July 7th, 2010
7:15 pm
@N-Trigue: i think Clips played Outlaw more at 4 than 3 because his perimeter D wasn’t so hot.
Mitun
July 7th, 2010
7:16 pm
I would get Matt Barnes and Raja Bell in a heartbeat but what about the Center position? I like Al Horford but PF would be better for him in term of his height.
Michael Cunningham
July 7th, 2010
7:19 pm
@ Jody: “Are the Hawks just blowing smoke or are they genuinely serious about putting together a legit contender? I know it’s still early, but I thought I’d ask your opinion?”
it’s waaaay early. the cap hasn’t even been set yet. the market still has to calm down. all i can tell you is the Hawks see J.J.’s re-signing as the first step. they know they can’t bring back the same team and sell it as improvement. like i’ve said, it will become clear if they are BSing, so all you can do is wait and see what they do.
Jody
July 7th, 2010
7:20 pm
@MC
Thanks for the answer and your work.
Michael Cunningham
July 7th, 2010
7:22 pm
@ Melvin: “Fair point. I just thought those are the type of guys you look to sign mid-July into August not within the 1st week of the signing period…”
you may be right about that though who knows in this crazy market. i don’t mean to imply these are guys the Hawks are pursuing, just putting them out there as options if the Hawks decide they need someone for the role.