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
Emir S.
July 7th, 2010
7:38 pm
I’m open for Matt Barnes and Tony Allen. I’ve seen Tony Allen play with Boston, I think he’s a great defender. And I like his inside scoring. I’ve seen him get quiet a few putbacks in the playoffs. Kinda reminds me of Childress.
As far as Matt Barnes, I see him as a replacement for Marvin WIlliams.
If you take Farmar or Alston, then your taking away Teague’s starting spot and his chance to prove himself. Unless you pick up one of them and still let Teague start, then I’d have no problems with that.
UGA
July 7th, 2010
7:40 pm
Did the Hawks make Matt Barnes an offer last year?
chuckw/deadjournalist
July 7th, 2010
7:41 pm
that cap number is $2M higher than everyone thought. that’s not a bad thing for the hawks.
O'Brien
July 7th, 2010
7:42 pm
Two important things free agents look for is money and playing time. Right now, the hawks don’t have much money, but with the right moves, there can be PT available.
Hopefully on Friday, sund will be active in the market. If he is too deliberate, we might miss out. Last year we got Jamal the last week of June. And that’s the approach we need.
Calculated and swift.
Astro Joe
July 7th, 2010
7:49 pm
@MC, so what does your Excel spreadsheet say now in terms of the salary space between current contracts and the announced luxury tax threshold? Will Sund be shopping at JCPenney’s or Dollar General to round out the roster?
UGA
July 7th, 2010
7:50 pm
The Hawks did get better perimeter D drafting Damian James, but……….
JeJe
July 7th, 2010
7:53 pm
SO JOE WHAT TOP FA’S ARE U RECRUITING HERE LIKE UR AGENT SAID U WOULD? KINDA FUNNY, SEEING THAT EVERY TOP FA HAS SIGNED AND LBJ ISN’T COMING HERE.
LOL
Bosh the Lapdog
July 7th, 2010
7:55 pm
Why didn’t u guys sign me?
Oh wait, Wade isn’t on this team. I have a crush on him.
Astro Joe
July 7th, 2010
7:56 pm
JeJe, I’m pretty sure his agent said free agent and not TOP free agent. I’m still waiting for the player who can convince another layer to take a huge paycut. Can anyone here convince their best friend to take a 40%+ paycut?
wcj
July 7th, 2010
7:56 pm
MC, The Hawks can trade Jamall Crawford to Charlotte Bobcats for Gerald Wallace. Why? because is it unlikely that the Hawks can sign Jamall next season and give Al an extension. It will give Charlotte $9,360,000 (expiring contract) in cap space in 2011 if i am reading this right. Marvin Williams can come of the bench until he is traded.
JeJe
July 7th, 2010
7:58 pm
Amazing there have been no Cav rumors of trades. WTF are they doing? Get David Lee ASAP.
They are so dumb for hanging onto Hickson. Hickson for Amare was a done deal
Sawyer
July 7th, 2010
8:18 pm
With the cap being higher, JJ’s contract just went up even more.
Big B CH 99
July 7th, 2010
8:24 pm
Hos did U not include Mario West on this list, he’s a great defender, just very limited offensively (dunk & nothing else). The most important thing is giving him enough minutes to let him develop, (1-2 MPG) isn’t gonna do it. If U give him 10-15 MPG he might develop into a decent contributer. He’ll always be a defense first guy, but might be able to be a slasher/driver. He did win the dunk contest after his Sr yr @ GT.
cp
July 7th, 2010
8:25 pm
A few guys I like are Tony Allen, Carney, Josh Boone, and Dorrell Wright… I think any one of these guy would be good coming off the bench.
Grandad
July 7th, 2010
8:26 pm
Don’t want any of ‘em.
Supposedly Battier is available for trade.
Good quote from article I just read: [off topic]
Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo Sports
LeBron James has gone a long way to devaluing winning and losing in the NBA. David Stern has long pushed the individual over team, marketed showy over substance, and LeBron James represents the manifestation of it all.
cp
July 7th, 2010
8:27 pm
I like Livingston but we would have to move Bibby. Mario West has no skills. I hope he isn’t on this team next year… He cant dribble nor can he shoot. He is also way too aggressive on the defensive end. Dude probably racks up more fouls than points scored. If he was allowed to play more than 10 minutes a game he would probably foul out half the time. No more Mario West
rusty
July 7th, 2010
8:34 pm
the only thing joe is successful in recruiting is more $$$ for his sorry butt. loma. if we could get allen,farmer & barnes we would be crazy not to,(we wouldnt get jack crap) having bibby,evens & the rest of our crappy bench will not cut it. get shaq.
tidog
July 7th, 2010
8:40 pm
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tidog
July 7th, 2010
8:40 pm
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tidog
July 7th, 2010
8:40 pm
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tidog
July 7th, 2010
8:40 pm
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The Shooter
July 7th, 2010
8:43 pm
Lebron James and Terrell Owens deserve each other. It is good they don’t play the same game. You would need two balls.
Panties on the Ground
July 7th, 2010
8:47 pm
ASG and BK passed on Farmer coming out of UCLA. He may have been the solution to the PG problem all along. At 23 yrs old with his experince his addition is all upside.
TROTTINGHOME
July 7th, 2010
9:02 pm
this blog is boring and useless…start another after LAAAAAA bron makes his choice.
terrell
July 7th, 2010
9:24 pm
Lebron to the Nets in a shocker.
terrell
July 7th, 2010
9:28 pm
Cant believe people are still calling Mario a “great defender”. Wow!
Melvin
July 7th, 2010
9:29 pm
Looks like the Hawks has the league min for summer league roster…
http://www.nbadraft.net/2010-nba-las-vegas-summer-league-game-schedule-rosters
terrell
July 7th, 2010
9:36 pm
Lebron isn’t responsible for this FA nonsense. We are. We’re watching it, listening to it, and reading about it. If no one watched it, read about it, or listened to it, ESPN, NBA TV, etc.. wouldnt have made it so preposterous. They’re only catering to our dumbazzez. lol!
JeJe
July 7th, 2010
9:47 pm
This blog is a joke. Rafer Alston? I’d rather have Steve Francis for the maximum
Thank You Michael Cunningham! | Soaring Down South | An Atlanta Hawks blog
July 7th, 2010
11:31 pm
[...] more trouble defending the perimeter than defending the paint. Thanks to Michael Cunningham for pointing this out in his latest [...]
Ashe
July 7th, 2010
11:44 pm
Bendan Haywood
Mike Miller
Carlos Boozer
Kyle Korver
Bosh
steve blake
joel przybilla
grant hill
matt barnes
david lee
luke ridnour
jamaal Maglourie
Johan Petro
Brad miller
I want a true center. We here at Atlanta have never had a true center. I do like Barnes, Haywood, and Korver and maybe Brad Miller. But, they might be going to greener pastures.
atownhawk23 aka I LOVE JJ
July 8th, 2010
1:17 am
No. Do not get Matt Barnes. If you get him then, we’ll have deal with that stupid, naive, and annoying Gloria. Nooooo. We’re good the way we are.
BigTimeTECHFan
July 8th, 2010
8:20 am
Michael Cunningham – Right on, every team need these guys.
What about just keeping Mario West, he could fit that role on defense better then most of these guys but prob a downgrade on offense.
I wish we had a Joe Dumars – That dude was so good, he could lock down anybody (but Jordan) but was great offensive player. Every bit as good as D Wade and LeBron Because of his D.
Ryan
July 8th, 2010
8:25 am
Bunch of idiots tryign to get rid of SMith. . .
BigTimeTECHFan
July 8th, 2010
8:25 am
Michael Cunningham – Any chance we could sign Anthony Morrow for some 3 point shooting
Ryan
July 8th, 2010
8:26 am
DIkembe MUtumbo was not a ‘true center’????
BigTimeTECHFan
July 8th, 2010
8:32 am
How about trade with Golden State:
M Williams, Bibby, Evans
for
Monta Ellis
Ronnie Turiaf
Daniel
July 8th, 2010
8:59 am
Alston? Are you confusing willingness to gamble for steals at all times as defense?
dukester
July 8th, 2010
10:37 am
lets find a center that can play defense first. good teams can always control the paint.
sammy
July 8th, 2010
12:07 pm
the hawks need Shack like they need charles barkley, days are gone!
Truth-Serum
July 8th, 2010
1:50 pm
“Dwight-influenced fascination with centers”
Talk about a loaded statement. Wow. you have to spend a week dispelling the misdirection before you can deal with the reality. Dwight only put an exclamation one what the experts had foretasted before the season began and what many fans voiced serious concerns about. The hawks defenselessness for the 5 spot.
Northcyde hand an excellent post last week that show 60% of the people who try to score over horford in the paint succeed. Thats an atrocious number. Further is not like horford is stopping anyone (nobody) in the paint. This aint about Howard although he stressed the point.
The bottom line is you wont go far in the playoffs if your CENTER can protect the rim. That is the point Horford cant, and as long as he is center we will never get past the second round.
I’ll see you next year and we will have this same conversation, fire the next coach, talk about how great horford’s 12 career average is and call for sund’s firing.
You are clearly ignoring the point. Horford aint stopping no centers, including Dwight who just brought the exclamation point.
Manny
July 8th, 2010
2:01 pm
They’re all forwards and guards. We’re good on that. Find me a nice Center and we can talk.
D Money
July 8th, 2010
2:15 pm
If Shaq is the best option for center right now then we have to make a play for him. I’m not a fan of his at this point in his career but if Shaq and Zaza can hold down the center position, that would be a big boost to the team and it will keep Horford where he belongs…at forward.
Truth-Serum
July 8th, 2010
2:18 pm
*Dwight only put an exclamation on what the experts had foretasted before the season began and what many fans voiced serious concerns about. The hawks defenselessness for the 5 spot.
Truth-Serum
July 8th, 2010
2:21 pm
more trouble defending the perimeter than defending the paint. Thanks to Michael Cunningham for pointing this out in his latest?
Surely you jest!
The guards have to cheat to the middle to help Horford before he gets blistered….cosh Woodson his job with all the switching he had to do to protect us from Horford ABUSE.-lmao
Truth-Serum
July 8th, 2010
2:21 pm
*.coach
Mystikal
July 8th, 2010
2:28 pm
Breaking News:
Brendan Haywood sign with Mavericks for 6 yrs, $55 million
Jermaine O’neal sign with Celtics for 5.7 million exception
Two more gone….
Mystikal
July 8th, 2010
2:44 pm
In order I say:
Matt Barnes
Raja Bell
Rafer Alston
Tony Allen
Jordan Farmer
Dorrell Wright
Rodney Carney
Think Raja Bell or Rafer Alston are best realistic
options for little money we are trying to spend.
Truth-Serum
July 8th, 2010
2:53 pm
coach Woodson lost his job with all the switching he had to do to protect us from Horford ABUSE.-lmao
Woodson II (the sequel)
July 8th, 2010
2:55 pm
Mystikal if you are wondering what the forecast of 2010-2011 will be the answer is DITTO!