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Pero Antic: Should The Hawks Re-Sign Him?

By John Buhler

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After completing his initial two-year deal with the Atlanta Hawks, C Pero Antic enters this summer as a restricted free agent.  Being a restricted free agent means that the Hawks can match any contract that another team may offer Antic this summer.  It’s referred to as the “right to first refusal“, since the two-year deal was Antic’s first contract in the NBA.  Pero earned $1,225,000 each of the last two seasons with the Hawks.  Though he might command a slightly higher increase in pay, should the Atlanta Hawks look to re-sign Pero Antic to a new deal this summer?

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It is well-known that Atlanta Hawks Head Coach Mike Budenholzer thinks the world of Antic.  And with Coach Bud assuming the role of Team President as well as Head Coach under Tony Ressler’s new ownership group, Bud should have more say than ever about who stays or leaves the Atlanta Hawks.

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    • Pero is known for his ability to shoot the ball well from the outside as a stretch five (a career .314 3P%).  He’s also an excellent in-bounder for the Hawks and effectively forces low post players to make tough shots when he is on defense.  His low post defense doesn’t really show up on the stat line but there is an intangible positive impact felt by the team when opposing bigs can’t make easy baskets on Pero.

    But if you look at Antic’s PER for 2014-15 (9.5, where 15.0 is average) and his inability to rebound for a big man (3.5 RPG in his career), you have to wonder if the Hawks want to look for a more tangibly productive big man on defense in free agency.

    Antic had a negative Defensive +/- in 2014-15 (-1.4).  I would guess that his lack of production on the glass really hurts Pero in that advanced metric.  He also missed many wide open looks from three on offense.  Though he shot .301 from three-point land this year, at times it didn’t feel like it.

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    It could really go either way if it’s a good decision to bring Pero Antic back to Atlanta in 2015-16.  He’s been a valuable rotational player and spot starter for the Hawks these last two seasons.  But you can feel that with the improving game of PF/C Mike Muscala, maybe Antic’s minutes will be at a premium for the Hawks going forward, especially if Walter ‘Edy’ Tavares is ready to come stateside this fall.

    I think since Coach Bud likes what he brings to the team both on and off the court, Pero will get a new two-year deal to stay in Atlanta.  But should Bud bring him back?  Only if he doesn’t ask for more than $2 Million annually.  Since I don’t think that Pero will get a ridiculous offer from somebody, The Pride of Macedonia will be back with the Hawks this season, possibly filling the role of Elton Brand should the 16-year veteran retire this summer.

    Next: Reports: Ferry Out As Hawks GM; Budenholzer, Wilcox Promoted

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