Three Backup Point Guards the Hawks Could Target This Offseason

Post #1 » by **HMFFL** » Tue Apr 14, 2020 8:10 am

The upcoming free-agent class isn't stocked with big names, even at backup point guard. How will Atlanta handle filling the position for next season?

Fred VanVleet (Toronto Raptors)

VanVleet’s name has been among the most frequent to arise in connection with the Hawks, but his fit in Atlanta may be slightly overstated. The point guard could command close to $20 million in free agency, which the Hawks -- who will target a backup point guard -- can offer. But they might not reap the same return on that investment that other teams would, and Atlanta might be better off allocating its resources elsewhere.

D.J. Augustin (Orlando Magic)

The last four seasons in Orlando have been some of the best of Augustin’s career, but the Magic could move in a different direction this summer. Markelle Fultz took Augustin’s place in the starting lineup early last year, but the team should still be open to the possibility of adding a long-term fixture at point guard. That could leave little room for the 11-year veteran, who will be up for a new deal this summer.

Garrett Temple

Though Temple has played point guard at certain points in his nine-year NBA career, he probably isn’t a primary ball-handler at this point, even on second units. But Temple is a steady, trustworthy veteran who could make life easier on other players, and might be one of the few available free agents capable of defending both guard positions. That, and Temple’s shooting ability, could allow him to share the floor with Young more than Teauge, VanVleet, or Augustin would.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.si.com/.amp-Hawks/nba/hawks/news/three-backup-point-guards-the-hawks-could-target-this-offseason-fred-vanvleet-dj-augustin-garrett-temple

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azuresou1 · Post #2 » by **azuresou1** » Tue Apr 14, 2020 2:37 pm

Spending big money on FVV would be really dumb of the Hawks - it instantly hard-caps us as a mid-round playoff team. Can't be paying a bench guy $20MM a year.

I like Garrett Temple as a steady vet guard. I don't know that we'd need him to do a lot of creation with Cam and Huerter both picking up heavy ball handling duties with the bench rotations.

In the RFA pool, I really like DeAnthony Melton, Kris Dunn, and Shaq Harrison.

Post #3 » by **Jamaaliver** » Tue Apr 14, 2020 3:01 pm

I do like DJ Augustin here on a value contract as the backup.

FVV is a baller, but simply too expensive.

Post #4 » by **Jamaaliver** » Sat May 16, 2020 1:12 pm

Danny Leroux wrote:One of the biggest mistakes that has kept the Hawks from a much more successful season has been only having one player who could reliably run the pick-and-roll on the opening-night roster. To me, every team should have at least two and ideally at least three since there will be times when the starter gets hurt or in foul trouble, although not all of them need to be point guard-sized.

D.J. Augustin would be a great fit after getting usurped by Markelle Fultz on the Magic but likely runs into the Teague problem of wanting a better opportunity. The pickings get slim after him but Raul Neto, Jevon Carter and Matthew Dellavedova are all worth a call since Goran Dragic is presumably off the board...Schlenk should also add an off guard who can do some damage with the ball in his hands like Alec Burks or Austin Rivers as a second-unit player who can play a larger role in a pinch.

That list should serve as a justification for possibly putting more money in a short-term backup like Teague or Augustin because it would be brutal to sidetrack another season due to hemorrhaging points in the Young-less minutes.

The Athletic

atlantabbq99 · Post #5 » by **atlantabbq99** » Sat May 16, 2020 1:59 pm

I would rather just target Teague, Barea, or Isaiah Thomas. Who ever is cheaper. I just want an old vet with playoff experience that can teach Trae and the young guys on how to be a Pro and how to handle the grind of a deep playoff push.

shakes0 · Post #6 » by **shakes0** » Sat May 16, 2020 2:53 pm

you really think Isaiah Thomas would be a good choice to back up Trae?

jayu70 · Post #7 » by **jayu70** » Sat May 16, 2020 3:26 pm

shakes0 wrote:you really think Isaiah Thomas would be a good choice to back up Trae?

No.

kg01 · Post #8 » by **kg01** » Sat May 16, 2020 3:41 pm

shakes0 wrote:you really think Isaiah Thomas would be a good choice to back up Trae?

I think old, Michael Jordan hating arse, former Piston I. Thomas would be a better option. Today.

Spud2nique · Post #9 » by **Spud2nique** » Sat May 16, 2020 3:43 pm

kg01 wrote:
shakes0 wrote:you really think Isaiah Thomas would be a good choice to back up Trae?

I think old, Michael Jordan hating arse, former Piston I. Thomas would be a better option. Today.

I woulda just laid his lil a$$ out!

-Shaq (on Steph scurry)

Wait... what are we talking about.

King Ken · Post #10 » by **King Ken** » Sat May 16, 2020 4:44 pm

While I am all for going to a vet backup PG option, for 3rd string, we need to look to the NBA draft this year. A lot of good guys this year in the 2nd round for that position.

atlantabbq99 · Post #11 » by **atlantabbq99** » Sat May 16, 2020 11:12 pm

shakes0 wrote:you really think Isaiah Thomas would be a good choice to back up Trae?

I have him #3. Teague is my first choice because I think he plays the best defense of the three.

Barea is a natural high energy 6th man.

Thomas is the best 3pt shooter of the three.

All three guys can teach Trae on what its like to lead an NBA team to a #1 seed and make a deep playoff push. I have loyalty towards Teague because he was apart of the Budz Hawks. Barea knows exactly what it's like to play game 7s and win a championship. One thing Trae and Thomas have in common or what Thomas can teach Trae is what its like to be a high scoring undersized PG for a contender. Thomas' peak was short but he knows what it's like to be the #1 and have all eyes on him and still produce and drop 30-40 points on any team, on the biggest stage, on prime time national TV.

But like a mentioned on a couple of other board, the Hawks should also look into getting Markus Howard in the 2nd round to back up Trae.

_s_t_u_r_t_ · Post #12 » by **_s_t_u_r_t_** » Wed May 20, 2020 8:41 pm

Yogi.

atlantabbq99 · Post #13 » by **atlantabbq99** » Wed May 20, 2020 11:54 pm

shakes0 wrote:you really think Isaiah Thomas would be a good choice to back up Trae?

I have Thomas ranked #3 of the three vets.

Teague is my first choice because of my Hawks loyalty and he is the best defender of the three.

Barea is a natural 6th man and he has experience of being on a championship team.

Thomas is the best 3pt shooter of the three, and he is the only one of the three that knows what Trae is going through right now, because for a short time, Thomas like Trae, was an elite undersized high scoring PG and #1 option for a legit contender.

_s_t_u_r_t_ · Post #14 » by **_s_t_u_r_t_** » Thu May 21, 2020 1:13 am

There is no alternative universe, let alone this one, where I can imagine Schlenk signing someone to be the back-up to arguably the worst defensive PG in the league who is not, himself, at least average.

Teague, no.

Thomas, no.

Barea at a younger age, maybe, but no.

Just sayin.

jayu70 · Post #15 » by **jayu70** » Thu May 21, 2020 2:25 am

atlantabbq99 wrote:
shakes0 wrote:you really think Isaiah Thomas would be a good choice to back up Trae?

I have Thomas ranked #3 of the three vets.

Teague is my first choice because of my Hawks loyalty and he is the best defender of the three.

Barea is a natural 6th man and he has experience of being on a championship team.

Thomas is the best 3pt shooter of the three, and he is the only one of the three that knows what Trae is going through right now, because for a short time, Thomas like Trae, was an elite undersized high scoring PG and #1 option for a legit contender.

I don't mind bringing back Teague if that's the only option.
No to Barea (36) and Thomas (hasn't looked the same since the hip) ..and we don't need anymore undersized PGs. Ideally, get a PG that can play with Trae is some lineups.
There's a slew of vet PGs that I can list before getting to Barea and Thomas.
https://www.spotrac.com/nba/free-agents/ufa/point-guard/

King Ken · Post #16 » by **King Ken** » Thu May 21, 2020 7:06 am

I wouldn't mind 4.
1. Trae
2. A vet like Jeff
3. A rookie from this strong PG class
4. Goodwin who is like the 5th or 6th wing

King Ken · Post #17 » by **King Ken** » Thu May 21, 2020 7:07 am

D.J. pounds the rock like Trae without the benefit of Trae. E-Z Pass

atlantabbq99 · Post #18 » by **atlantabbq99** » Thu May 21, 2020 10:11 am

jayu70 wrote:
atlantabbq99 wrote:
shakes0 wrote:you really think Isaiah Thomas would be a good choice to back up Trae?

I have Thomas ranked #3 of the three vets.

Teague is my first choice because of my Hawks loyalty and he is the best defender of the three.

Barea is a natural 6th man and he has experience of being on a championship team.

Thomas is the best 3pt shooter of the three, and he is the only one of the three that knows what Trae is going through right now, because for a short time, Thomas like Trae, was an elite undersized high scoring PG and #1 option for a legit contender.

I don't mind bringing back Teague if that's the only option.
No to Barea (36) and Thomas (hasn't looked the same since the hip) ..and we don't need anymore undersized PGs. Ideally, get a PG that can play with Trae is some lineups.
There's a slew of vet PGs that I can list before getting to Barea and Thomas.
/

If Thomas was the "SAME", he would be getting max and a starter on a good team, that is why his role now is a cheap contract bench guy and locker room guy like Stackhouse. Thomas is still an elite shooter with a high IQ like Teague, so that means he will not be creating shots but creating space as a 3pt threat.

I wouldn't be upset and totally understand if Teague wants to ring chase at this point of his career, but I do hope he takes the same path as Vince and play for teams where he can get minutes and teach.

kg01 · Post #19 » by **kg01** » Thu May 21, 2020 3:06 pm

Uh, Boston balked at paying Thomas a max even before the hip.

He doesn't help us now. No undersized guards, please.

_s_t_u_r_t_ · Post #20 » by **_s_t_u_r_t_** » Tue Jul 7, 2020 3:06 am

azuresou1 wrote:In the RFA pool, I really like DeAnthony Melton, Kris Dunn, and Shaq Harrison.

Count me a new convert to the Shaq Harrison fan club.

I like that he's 26, which fits with what Schlenk has openly said he's interested to pursue (which makes a lot of sense). I like that he is a legit point and shooting guard. I like that he's proven this past season to be a legit asset on both sides of the court, and unlike the other two, gives reason of-late to believe he can be adequate from the arc. I love his exceptionally low TOV% for a team that has hurt so badly in that department in recent seasons. And I like that all that I've read thus far from Bulls bloggers seems to indicate they don't perceive he's an RFA that the team will be desperate to keep.