Atlanta Hawks: Complete grades for the 2019 NBA offseason
The team’s only free agent splash
The Atlanta Hawks only signed on free agent this offseason. Given all the trades Travis Schlenk pulled off since the end of the 2018-19 season, that is not that much of a surprise.
But shortly after Spellman was traded, the Hawks added yet another wing to their team in the form of Jabari Parker.
Free agent forward Jabari Parker has agreed to a two-year deal with the Atlanta Hawks, league source tells @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 8, 2019
Once the signing happened, it was reported that Jabari Parker held the Hawks’ organization, and more importantly their medical team, in high regard.
One interesting note from Jabari Parker: He said he chose the Hawks, in part, because of the medical staff in working with his twice surgically repaired knee.
— Chris Vivlamore (@CVivlamoreAJC) July 11, 2019
Jabari Parker was the No. 2 pick back in 2014 NBA Draft. He has shown the capability to be an offensive force, most notably during the 2016-17 season for the Milwaukee Bucks; that season he averaged a career high 20.1 points per game.
However, one knock on his career his been his defensive limitations. Then of course, he had major knee injuries in 2014 and 2017.
But Parker, if healthy, should be able to slide into a nice role player situation backing up both the power and small forward positions. That means he’ll be competing with Hunter, Reddish and Parsons for minutes, but the could be good for him as he continues to rehab from his knee injuries.
Grade: C-