The offseason has already begun for most of the NBA, but things will really heat up over the next month with the NBA Draft around the corner. That’s at the forefront of the Atlanta Hawks to-do list, given they have the number one overall pick. The Hawks will also be embroiled in non-stop trade rumors for the foreseeable future, with most of it surrounding their All-Star point guard duo of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray.
For those reasons, and because the Hawks have limited funds as things currently stand, NBA free agency almost seems like an afterthought. However, Atlanta can free up some cap space through trades, giving them more room to maneuver, and they also have a some decisions to make on their own free agents.
List of Atlanta Hawks Free Agents
- Saddiq Bey (Restricted Free Agent)
- Garrison Mathews (Team Option)
- Wesley Matthews (Unrestricted Free Agent)
- Vit Krejci (Restricted Free Agent)
- Seth Lundy (Restricted Free Agent)
- Trent Forrest (Unrestricted Free Agent)
- Dylan Windler (Unrestricted Free Agent)
The primary decision the Atlanta Hawks will have to make when it comes to their own guys revolves around Saddiq Bey. He’s been a productive piece for the team since being acquired at last year’s trade deadline averaging 13.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists on 42.9% shooting from the field and 33.7% from behind the arc.
Losing Bey would weaken an already thin group of wings, but the bigger issue is he’s coming off a torn ACL injury he suffered in March. That could deter the Hawks from even extending a qualifying offer, but I would imagine they will wait to see if they want to consider matching any deal he signs in free agency. Because of the injury, it could prevent teams from offering lucrative multi-year contracts to Saddiq Bey, providing an opportunity for a bargain.
Outside of that, most of these decisions won’t have a great impact on the Hawks’ success next season. Garrison Mathews has a club option for just over $2 million that could be picked up, and Vit Krejci provided some moments for the team when injury struck.
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