Atlanta Hawks: Seven Free Agents to Provide Veteran Guidance
7. Andrew Bogut 7’0 260 • Center
Andrew Bogut is a former number overall pick. He was drafted in 2005 by the Milwaukee Bucks and is a 14 year NBA veteran.
Bogut never reached the level of stardom expected of a number one draft pick, but he developed into a defensive specialist. He led the entire in NBA in blocked shots with 2.6 per contest, during the 2010-11 season. He was also recognized as a member of the NBA All Defensive Team, following the 2014-15 season.
Andrew Bogut has never been a member of the All Star team, but he was awarded a spot on the prestigious All NBA Team for the 2009-10 season. He had his best scoring season that year, collecting 15.9 points per game.
Overall Bogut has career numbers of 9.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 2.2 assists. He averaged double figures in points six times, double-digit rebounds four times and blocked two or more shots three times in his career.
Andrew Bogut also has a championship ring, as a member of the Golden State Warriors in 2014-15. Speaking of the Warriors, Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk was once an executive for Golden State. His familiarity with Schlenk makes Bogut a good fit, to help teach the inexperienced Hawks players how to win.
6. Pau Gasol 7’0 250 • Center
Paul Gasol is a decorated NBA veteran with 18 years of experience. He’s a six-time All Star and four-time All NBA team member. Gasol was originally drafted by the Atlanta Hawks with the number three overall pick in 2001. He never played for the Hawks, as he was traded to the Grizzlies for Atlanta native Shareef Abdur-Rahim.
Pau Gasol also has championship experience. He has played in the NBA Finals three times and was Robin to Kobe Bryant‘s Batman, in route to winning two championship rings with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Gasol is a skilled craftsman in the post and has a vast array of moves in his repertoire. He is a career 17 points per games scorer, while shooting better than 50 percent. He averaged more than 20 points per game twice in his career. He was member of the Grizzlies both times that he accomplished that feat.
Pau is also a good rebounder and rim protector. He has posted totals of 9.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks over the entirety of his NBA career. He averaged double figures in rebounding five times and two or more blocks per game three times. Gasol is also a good passer, averaging 3.2 assists per game, thus far in his NBA tenure.
Over the last three seasons, Gasol has fallen from an All Star to a role player. This past year his minutes were cut in half and his numbers suffered tremendously. He registered averages of just 3.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 30 games.
The reduction in minutes last season, could have prepared Pau Gasol for accepting a lesser role with a team like the Atlanta Hawks this season. He could collect an NBA paycheck for being a mentor to the young Atlanta Hawks players, yet still provide some on court value when called upon.