NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 12: Bruce Brown #1 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles during the first half of the Eastern Conference 2022 Play-In Tournament against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center on April 12, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
3 free agents the Atlanta Hawks should target to help Trae Young: Bruce Brown
Okay, so free agency isn’t going to be very strong this year, but that doesn’t mean Bruce Brown isn’t a guy who could help the Hawks a ton.
After spending two years revitalizing his career with the Brooklyn Nets, Brown is set to earn a decent payday this summer. The Hawks would have to find a way to afford him, but he could be a guy that would help out a ton.
Brown is the ultimate glue guy. He does a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor, and those are the types of players Atlanta should be targeting.
Their defense is one of the worst in the league and they could use defenders at every position. And the beautiful part about Brown is that he can play a plethora of positions.
You can stick him at shooting guard, small forward, or even power forward. He’s extremely versatile and would be able to diversify Atlanta’s play on both ends.
His defensive spark would give them a much-needed boost on that side of the floor, while his unique, screen-setting offensive game would help give Young more options.
Brown may not be the first name most people think of when looking at potential options to help Young, but looking across some of the options in free agency, he’s one of the better ones.
Atlanta Hawks were just dismissed by the Miami Heat in Round 1 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs. After their Cinderella run in last year’s postseason, this year was nothing short of a disappointment.</p>
<p>They were forced to win not one, but two Play-In games just to earn their spot in the playoffs. And even after winning both of them, they were dismantled by the Heat in five games.</p>
<p>Trae Young did not play well, but a lot of that was due to Miami’s suffocating defense. And in all honesty, he wasn’t even the best player in the series – De’Andre Hunter was.</p>
<h2>3 free agents the Atlanta Hawks should target to help Trae Young</h2>
<p>Hunter averaged 21.2 points a night on extremely efficient shooting while Young only managed to put up 15.4 points a night. Not ideal for a team’s superstar point guard.</p>
<p>Again, though, Miami targeted Young heavily during the series, so it was close to impossible for him to get much done. And with the loss, the Hawks have a lot of decisions to make this summer.</p>
<p>It’s <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/29/target-atlanta-hawks-trae-young/2/"https://www.si.com/nba/hawks/news/travis-schlenk-expects-more-turnover-on-hawks-roster" target="_blank" rel="noopener">highly unlikely that they simply run it back</a>. The team is still super young, but with the success they had in 2021, it’s clear that putting the right pieces around Young could lead to real postseason success.</p>
<p>The big question is, however, what pieces do they need to add this offseason in order to put Young in the best position to succeed? With free agency and the trade market as the two best options for adding players, what guys should Atlanta target to help Young?</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/29/target-atlanta-hawks-trae-young/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Player #1 </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-444535" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/29/target-atlanta-hawks-trae-young/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1391665073.jpeg" alt="Atlanta Hawks, Trae Young" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1391665073.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1391665073-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 12: Bruce Brown #1 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles during the first half of the Eastern Conference 2022 Play-In Tournament against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center on April 12, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>3 free agents the Atlanta Hawks should target to help Trae Young: Bruce Brown</h2>
<p>Okay, so free agency isn’t going to be very strong this year, but that doesn’t mean Bruce Brown isn’t a guy who could help the Hawks a ton.</p>
<p>After spending two years revitalizing his career with the Brooklyn Nets, Brown is set to earn a decent payday this summer. The Hawks would have to find a way to afford him, but he could be a guy that would help out a ton.</p>
<p>Brown is the ultimate glue guy. He does a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor, and those are the types of players Atlanta should be targeting.</p>
<p>Their defense is one of the worst in the league and they could use defenders at every position. And the beautiful part about Brown is that he can play a plethora of positions.</p>
<p>You can stick him at shooting guard, small forward, or even power forward. He’s extremely versatile and would be able to diversify Atlanta’s play on both ends.</p>
<p>His defensive spark would give them a much-needed boost on that side of the floor, while his unique, screen-setting offensive game would help give Young more options.</p>
<p>Brown may not be the first name most people think of when looking at potential options to help Young, but looking across some of the options in free agency, he’s one of the better ones.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/29/target-atlanta-hawks-trae-young/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Player #2 </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-406302" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/29/target-atlanta-hawks-trae-young/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1066,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2020%2F08%2F1227913768.jpeg" alt="Atlanta Hawks, Trae Young" width="1600" height="1066" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2020/08/1227913768.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2020/08/1227913768-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 4: T.J. Warren #1 of the Indiana Pacers plays against the Orlando Magic during the first half of an NBA basketball game on August 4, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Ashley Landis – Pool/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>3 free agents the Atlanta Hawks should target to help Trae Young: TJ Warren</h2>
<p>This is easily the riskiest free-agent target of the bunch, but it’s also the one with the most potential upside. TJ Warren has only played in four games over the last two seasons, but when he has been on the court, he’s been solid.</p>
<p>As crazy as it sounds, the last time we saw Warren play consistent minutes was when he was dominating in the NBA Bubble. Since then, he hasn’t really played much.</p>
<p>While he’s never been the best defender, Warren would give the Hawks another go-to scorer on the perimeter. Right now, outside of Young, they don’t really have anybody on the roster who can create their own shot.</p>
<p>Bogdan Bogdanovic is the closest thing they have to that, but even he works better off the ball. Warren could come in and give them a huge boost in the shot creation department.</p>
<p>Warren is a career 15 points per game scorer, and that alone would help Atlanta. But again, it’s the way he gets his buckets that would help them the most.</p>
<p>Atlanta could bring Warren off the bench as one of the most dangerous sixth men in the league. His ability to get a bucket at will would be of great use.</p>
<p>All that being said, this is all contingent on him being the same player he once was. But that just might be a risk the Hawks will be willing to take.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/29/target-atlanta-hawks-trae-young/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Player #3 </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-444536" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/29/target-atlanta-hawks-trae-young/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1238863089.jpeg" alt="Atlanta Hawks, Trae Young" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1238863089.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1238863089-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MARCH 01: Gary Payton II #0 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates after making a three-point shot against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second quarter of the game at Target Center on March 1, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Berding/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>3 free agents the Atlanta Hawks should target to help Trae Young: Gary Payton II</h2>
<p>Again, free agency isn’t going to be very flashy this year, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of players littered throughout that can help out the Hawks.</p>
<p>Gary Payton II burst onto the scene this year thanks to his energetic defense and elite athleticism. Those are two things that the Hawks could use in the lineup next to Young.</p>
<p>Similar to Bruce Brown, Payton would be able to provide the Hawks a different look on both ends of the floor. If he wanted, Nate McMillan could even put Payton into a similar role that Brown plays for the Nets.</p>
<p>Placing Payton’s defensive presence next to Young, who clearly needs some support on that side of the ball, could end up being a match made in heaven.</p>
<p>Payton is on a steal of a contract right now, but with his impending status as an unrestricted free agent, that will likely change. If the Hawks wanted to, they could swoop in and make a deal happen.</p>
<p>Atlanta desperately needs a tone-setter on the defensive side of the ball, and if Payton is willing (and ready) to take on the challenge, he could be the perfect player to do just that.</p>
<p>All-in-all, this offseason will be about the current Hawks’ players maturing, and the front office putting the right pieces around them. Payton, like Brown and TJ Warren, could help with that.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">