2017 NBA free agency grades: Atlanta Hawks bring back Ersan Ilyasova
In need of depth at the power forward position, the Atlanta Hawks opted to bring back Ersan Ilyasova on a one-year contract.
The Atlanta Hawks finally addressed their biggest need in free agency this summer. By retaining Ersan Ilyasova, the team added some much-needed depth at the power forward position.
Last year’s starter, All-Star Paul Millsap, was allowed to join the Nuggets on a three-year, $90 million deal without even being presented an offer from the Hawks.
The other power forwards on the roster have all vacated, with Ryan Kelly being sent to Houston for $75,000 in cash, Mike Scott signed to a contract with the Wizards and Kris Humphries remaining unsigned in free agency.
As Atlanta embarks on a rebuilding effort, primarily with the selection of 6’9″ power forward John Collins with the 19th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, cap flexibility has become a priority under the regime of new general manager Travis Schlenk.
The Hawks achieved the two tenants of their roster management by signing Ersan Ilyasova to a short-term contract.
Free agent Ersan Ilyasova has agreed to a one-year, $6M deal with the Atlanta Hawks, league sources tell The Vertical.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 13, 2017
The one-year, $6 million contract provides the team with a viable backup option for Collins for the 2017-18 season, without compromising their ability to bring in pieces to build around in the future.
Last season, Ilyasova was one of the most well traveled players in the league, after beginning the year in Oklahoma City — a stint that lasted just three regular season appearances before being dealt to Philadelphia along with a 2020 first round pick for Jerami Grant.
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Ilyasova proved to be a viable long range threat during his brief tenure with the 76ers, connecting on 44 percent of his attempts from three-point range in 53 games.
The 30-year-old averaged 14.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.0 made shots from three-point range and 1.8 assists per game while in Philadelphia.
The impressive figures turned Ilyasova, and his expiring contract, into a trade asset at the deadline.
Atlanta responded by sending Tiago Splitter and two second round picks to the 76ers in exchange for Ilyasova and the final pick of the 2017 NBA Draft. The pick was used on French center Alpha Kaba.
When Atlanta placed Ilyasova into the starting lineup for the first time, in a March contest against Portland, he delivered a 23-point effort.
Ilyasova posted averages of 10.4 points and 5.8 rebounds over 24.3 minutes per game during 24 regular season appearances with Atlanta and became a vital part of the Hawks’ small-ball approach in the postseason.
According to Basketball-Reference, Ilyasova spent 37 percent of his time on the floor against Washington at the center position.
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The Hawks have completely reshuffled their frontcourt, dealing away Dwight Howard to the Hornets and bringing in Miles Plumlee, Diamond Stone and Dewayne Dedmon through trades or free agency this month.
Reserve center Mike Muscala agreed to a two-year, $10 million deal to return to Atlanta, creating a logjam at the position and potentially eliminating the option of playing Ilyasova in the middle.
With Collins, a 19-year-old with two years of collegiate experience, as the only power forward on the roster, adding a veteran presence became a necessity.
As one of just eight players standing 6’10” or taller to convert at least 125 shots from three-point range last season, Ilyasova is capable of creating offensive mismatches anytime he is on the floor.
Atlanta was in desperate need of providing Collins a safety net during his first year in the NBA, and with the free agent market drying up, especially at the power forward position, retaining Ersan Ilyasova became a priority.
Next: 2017 NBA free agency tracker - Grades for every deal so far
By landing a player with experience under coach Mike Budenholzer, while retaining roster flexibility for the future, the Hawks managed to address a need for next season without bogging down the team past next summer.
Grade: B