2017 NBA Free Agency Grades: Atlanta Hawks add Luke Babbitt

A busy offseason continues for the Atlanta Hawks as they have offically added veteran forward Luke Babbitt on a one-year deal.

Change has come frequently for the Atlanta Hawks this offseason, and additions are still being made to their roster this deep into free agency.

First reported by ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Hawks have added veteran swingman Luke Babbitt on a one-year deal. The move has since been made official by the team and is worth the veteran’s minimum at $1.9 million, according to Spotrac.

An eight-year veteran, the Hawks will be the fourth stop in the Ohio native’s NBA career as he has previously suited up for the Miami Heat, New Orleans Pelicans and the Portland Trail Blazers, respectively.

In his lone season with the Heat last year, Babbitt appeared in 68 games, logged 55 starts and averaged 4.8 points on 41.4 percent shooting from three. That last part makes for a substantial reason in the appeal of adding a player of Babbitt’s capabilities, despite his nominal scoring output.

Over his career, the Nevada product has consistently hit at a high rate from downtown as he’s averaged 40.6 percent from three across all his stops around the association.

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With his ability to stretch the floor and to sink shots at a high percentage from deep, Babbitt has certainly earned a place in a league that’s always in the need of shooters of his caliber.

From the Hawks’ side of the transaction, bringing in Babbitt is solid business for them this late into free agency.

The Hawks have built a pedigree of getting the best out of role players in the recent past and while the outlook of the team has significantly changed over the last year-plus, they still have continuity in their coaching staff with head coach Mike Budenholzer at the helm.

The system Budenholzer has implemented since coming to Atlanta was reportedly a big draw from Babbitt’s perspective as Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution relayed upon his signing this week:

"“I’ve noticed for years now what kind of style and the way guys play here,” Babbitt said. “You see guys get better and take their games to a new level. I think coach Bud is a really respected coach among the entire league. I don’t think that’s news to anybody. It’s a really good situation for any player.“Nothing is ever promised, and I wouldn’t want it that way. I’m here to shoot and provide spacing and compete defensively. From that aspect, it won’t be different than what I’ve done for many years.”"

In that regard, Babbitt will prove useful to have on the floor alongside the team’s more attack-minded ball handlers like Dennis Schroder and Kent Bazemore, in order to search him out while in transition or in half court situations.

Overall, the addition of Babbitt isn’t much to move the needle for the Hawks, in terms of possibly outperforming the lowly expectations many people are placing on them at this point of the year.

Next: The biggest winners and losers of 2017 NBA free agency

With that said, Babbitt’s skilled shooting will likely earn him a sizeable role for a team that is retooling and will strive to remain as competitive as they can.

Final Grade: C+

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