Atlanta Hawks: Analyzing The Ersan Ilyasova Trade
By Adam McGee
The Return
Although Atlanta has no concerns with the contributions they get from the starting power forward position, their situation behind Paul Millsap has been muddled for quite some time.
Mike Scott‘s performance has dropped off significantly this season, making him almost a non-factor. Kris Humphries has his moments but can be very inconsistent, and is at best a more limited version of what the Hawks have picked up in Ilyasova.
By that token, adding the 29-year-old makes a lot of sense. Ilyasova averaged 14.8 points and 5.9 rebounds, while shooting 44 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from deep in 53 games with Philadelphia this season, showing that he’s still more than capable even deep into his NBA career.
Ilyasova will play considerably less in Atlanta, but should be capable of significant minutes if he’s called upon.
In his time on the floor, Ilyasova can provide solid floor spacing, posing a threat from midrange and behind the arc, as well as a strong rebounding ability for a man of his size. Perhaps most valuable of all could be the Turk’s savvy positional defense, though. Unlike many of Atlanta’s current backup forward options, Ilyasova will hold his own defensively and excel at drawing charges.
Ilyasova is third in the NBA in charges drawn per game at 0.45, and leads the league in total charges drawn at 25.