The Atlanta Hawks’ best free agents should be targeted

Age: 35 years old

Stats: 5.1 PT, 33.8 3 PT %

Status: unrestricted free agent

Rationale: Matthews is on the wrong side of 35, but he’s still a net positive defender. He has proven himself with the Milwaukee Bucks this season.

Age: 31

Stats: 5.1 PTS, 3.4 AST

Status: Denver Nuggets have pre-registration rights

Rationale: It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of “The Magician”. Besides practicing magic with the basketball, the second-year player is a stronger defender than he looks. Despite being 5’10”, Campazzo can stay ahead of his man and lead the attack when Trae Young is on the bench.

Age: 34

Stats: 6.7 PTS, 1.8 REB, 38.9% 3PT

Status: unrestricted free agent

Rationale: Ellington is near the end of his career, but he’s still a solid 3-and-D player. There will be plenty of teams in contention looking to add his veteran services to the locker room.

Age: 28 years old

Stats: 13.1 PTS, 6.1 REB

Status: Charlotte Hornets have pre-registration rights

Rationale: Harrell has burned the Hawks with the Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets this season. Even though he’s only 6’7″, the bruised big man plays like an old-school hoop. The Hawks could use his services.

Age: 25 years old

Stats: 9 PTS, 4 REB, 53.2 TS%.

Status: Kings of Sacramento have rights to the birds

Rationale: DiVincenzo is already upset about being in Sacramento (no surprises there). He went from being a role player on a championship team to a franchise that was irrelevant for nearly two decades. DiVincenzo is worth the bet if you’re the Hawks.

Age: 23 years old

Stats: 10.6 PTS, 8.1 REB

Status: Orlando Magic has bird rights

Rationale: Bamba just had the best season of a roller coaster career. If the Magic miss this opportunity, the Hawks should step in and sign the big man.

Age: 33 years old

Stats: 18.5 PTS, 7.4 REB, 7.1 AST

Status: player option for $41.3 million

Rationale: I know I said there was no trade. I’m not a fan of Westbrook’s game or his contract. But the 2022-23 season is the last year of his contract before becoming an unrestricted free agent. The Hawks could bolster their war chest with a series of moves involving Westbrook. Or, who knows, maybe Westbrook finally accepts his role as a player coming off the bench.

Age: 23 years old

Stats: 17.2 PTS, 10.2 REB

Status: restricted free agent

Rationale: I have no idea why the Phoenix Suns didn’t throw Ayton a max contract. The Hawks should seriously reconsider their current frontcourt if it means picking up a generational talent like Ayton.

Age: 28 years old

Stats: 23.2 PTS, 6.6 AST

Status: player option for $35 million

Rationale: This one feels like a stretch because I believe Beal will eventually re-sign with the Washington Wizards. But the thought of an All-Star backcourt is enticing if you’re in Atlanta.

Age: 27 years old

Stats: 24.4 PTS, 4.6 REB, 4.6 AST

Status: Chicago Bulls have bird rights

Rationale: LaVine is an All-Star shooting guard at the peak of his career. If you’re the Hawks, you’re leaving no stone unturned to pair him with Trae Young.