3 Under the Radar Guys the Hawks Should Target in Free Agency

Jae Crowder- Crowder is a guy I believe could be the next Demarre Carroll for the Hawks. No, it is not just because they both have a fantastic set of dreadlocks. Crowder became a fan favorite in Boston for a lot of the same reasons Carroll is a fan favorite in Atlanta. He plays fantastic defense and goes all out for every loose ball. Like Carroll, Crowder can be seen tumbling over camera men and fans going after every loose ball. He is a pest on defense and can guard almost anyone in the game, even some centers. However, for Crowder to become as good as Carroll has been over the last two seasons, he must improve his three point shooting. He only shot 29.3% from behind the arc last season and is only a 31.6% career three-point shooter. However, I believe he can make the strides necessary as a shooter to take his game to the next level. He is a restricted free agent and the Celtics do love him, but if the Hawks open up their wallets just a little bit, the Celtics will probably allow him to walk.

 

Kosta Koufos- The Hawks really struggled on the boards overall and had a glaring weakness at the backup center position. Koufas has been a more than serviceable backup in the NBA for years and really excelled in Memphis. He is a terrific defender and owns the glass when he is on the floor. He is a big man looking for a bigger role and could find one in Atlanta. He cannot spread the floor with his shooting and is not a very good passer, but having a rim protector is an aspect the Hawks lacked last season, and they paid the price.

Gerald Green- Green is one of the most interesting available free agents. He is a shooting guard that was drafted in the first round in 2005. However, his inconsistent play bounced him around the league, and he eventually left the NBA to play in Russia for two seasons. Green returned in 2011 trying to make a new impression for himself. It seemed in 2013, he really found a role for himself in the Suns organization. He averaged 15.8 points per game and shot 40% from behind the arc. His role decreased last season, but he still averaged 11.9 points per game and shot over 35% from the three-point line. I could see Green doing wonders in the Hawks system. He is unbelievably athletic, can run the floor, and can shoot the three. He is listed as a shooting guard, but at 6 feet 8 inches, he can slide over to the small forward position as well. The biggest question about Green is his attitude and mental focus. He has often struggled on defense and tends to give up when things are not going his way, but if Coach Mike Budenholzer and the rest of the coaching staff can get to him, he will be scary to watch in a Hawks uniform.

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