Atlanta Hawks Would be a Good Fit For DeAndre Jordan
By Kit Anderson
The Atlanta Hawks could be a great fit for rim protector DeAndre Jordan. The rebuilding Hawks have the salary space and the need for a better center. Could the Hawks chase Jordan this off-season?
The Atlanta Hawks are in the middle of a needed rebuild. The team is focusing on the upcoming draft and aren’t expected to play a big part in NBA free agency. Still, the Hawks should consider adding one star player.
DeAndre Jordan is one of the best traditional centers in the League. He gobbles up rebounds and runs the pick-and-roll very effectively. What Jordan is best at, however, is being a rim protector and enforcing a tough defensive style in the paint.
The Hawks adding such a player would be a great move. It would cushion the pain of the rebuild a bit and give the appearance they are trying to get better. It would also give young big-man John Collins a mentor who could show him how it is done.
Jordan would make the Hawks defensively better, a huge focus for their new coaching staff. The problem is simply if they are willing to spend the huge salary on one player. With cap space locked up by bad contracts like Kent Bazemore’s the Hawks would need to make a number of moves.
Still, it is an intriguing option the Hawks should explore. Jordan paired with a top draft pick could take the Hawks back to relative contention.
They wouldn’t be threats to win the East but they could fight for the 8th seed. This is all very hypothetical but Jordan is a good fit for a team looking to get better on the defensive end.
What better place to start then protecting the paint? No offense intended to Dewayne Dedmon but he lacks the defensive ability the Hawks need.
With the Finals looking to be decided already the off-season cannot get here soon enough.