Atlanta Hawks: 2017-18 player grades for Kent Bazemore

Veteran swingman Kent Bazemore made strides on both sides of the ball this year. Here’s how the journeyman wing found his niche with the Atlanta Hawks.

For rebuilding teams like the Atlanta Hawks, lost seasons like the 2017-18 campaign should be used to evaluate players that could fill necessary roles for the team going forward. In addition to the likes of John Collins and Taurean Prince, veteran swingman Kent Bazemore made a good case for himself in 2017-18.

With an increase in playing time, Bazemore averaged career-high numbers on both the offensive and defensive end, while also providing veteran leadership for one of the youngest teams in the league.

The former Old Dominion standout could’ve rested on his lavish contract and phoned it in on a team that was headed for the lottery. Instead, he continued work on his game and emerged as a supplementary wing player.

Bazemore isn’t a superstar by any means, but he fills a necessary role for the Hawks. With that being said, there were some shortcomings that could hinder his game going forward. Today, I will break down both the positive and negative aspects of Bazemore’s season to give a clearer picture of his value to this franchise.