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Atlanta Hawks: 5 potential free agent targets in 2017

By Brendan Galella

Feb 24, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters (11) drives to the basket against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters (11) drives to the basket against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 11, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills (8) celebrates after a play during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets in game six of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills (8) celebrates after a play during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets in game six of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Patty Mills, PG

Long range shooting proved to be one of the greatest weaknesses of the Atlanta Hawks during the 2016-17 season. During regular season play, the Hawks ranked 23rd in three-point field goal percentage and their 8.9 conversions per game was the 20th-best mark in the league.

Their lack of 3-point shooting was exacerbated during a playoff series against Washington. Among the 16 teams to qualify for the postseason, Atlanta managed to convert just 30.5 percent of its attempts from beyond the arc, only Chicago shot at a lower percentage.

One move the Hawks could make to address its lack of long range proficiency is to add Patty Mills.

The 28-year-old guard knocked down 147 shots from beyond the arc, just two behind Tim Hardaway Jr., the leading three-point shooter for Atlanta last season, even though Mills took 62 fewer attempts.

Mills shot 41.4 percent from beyond the arc a year ago and for his career, he has connected 39.5 percent, the 20th-best percentage among all active players.

The Hawks could add the prolific long range shooter at a relatively low price. The contract value estimation tool from Sports Illustrated predicts Mills will sign a two-year, $9 million offer. For a team trying to incorporate pieces without breaking the budget, Mills could be an ideal fit.

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