3 free agents the Atlanta Hawks should target to help Trae Young

By Jack Simone | Apr 29, 2022

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 03: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks dribbles against Bruce Brown #1 of the Brooklyn Nets during the first half at Barclays Center on November 03, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MARCH 01: Gary Payton II #0 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates after making a three-point shot against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second quarter of the game at Target Center on March 1, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /

3 free agents the Atlanta Hawks should target to help Trae Young: Gary Payton II

Again, free agency isn’t going to be very flashy this year, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of players littered throughout that can help out the Hawks.

Gary Payton II burst onto the scene this year thanks to his energetic defense and elite athleticism. Those are two things that the Hawks could use in the lineup next to Young.

Similar to Bruce Brown, Payton would be able to provide the Hawks a different look on both ends of the floor. If he wanted, Nate McMillan could even put Payton into a similar role that Brown plays for the Nets.

Placing Payton’s defensive presence next to Young, who clearly needs some support on that side of the ball, could end up being a match made in heaven.

Payton is on a steal of a contract right now, but with his impending status as an unrestricted free agent, that will likely change. If the Hawks wanted to, they could swoop in and make a deal happen.

Atlanta desperately needs a tone-setter on the defensive side of the ball, and if Payton is willing (and ready) to take on the challenge, he could be the perfect player to do just that.

All-in-all, this offseason will be about the current Hawks’ players maturing, and the front office putting the right pieces around them. Payton, like Brown and TJ Warren, could help with that.

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