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NBA • 10 months ago

5 Free Agents the Atlanta Hawks Should Target in 2015 Offseason

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Dale Zanine- USA Today Sports

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5 Free Agents the Atlanta Hawks Should Target in 2015 Offseason

The Atlanta Hawks are in the midst of playing in their first Eastern Conference Finals series in franchise history. Their success over the next few weeks will determine exactly who ends up staying on the roster for next season, as well as which free agents need to be brought in to boost this team to true title contention status. Here are five free agents the Atlanta Hawks should target in the 2015 offseason.

5. Kawhi Leonard

5. Kawhi Leonard

With the uncertainty surrounding current starting small forward DeMarre Carroll’s contract next season, the Hawks should absolutely be aggressive in their pursuit of the former Finals MVP, Kawhi Leonard. Not only was Leonard named Defensive Player of the Year this season, but he has grown into one of the top three small forwards in the entire league. Leonard would instantly keep this team in the title conversation.

4. Jimmy Butler

4. Jimmy Butler

Kyle Korver has struggled mightily in the 2015 playoffs, so the Hawks might want to consider a better starting option at the shooting guard position for next season. Jimmy Butler, unlike Korver, is a multi-skilled guard who can drive the ball, shoot well and defend the opposing team's best wing player on a nightly basis. Butler is by far the best shooting guard going into free agency, so why not swing for the fences?

3. Khris Middleton

3. Khris Middleton

With so many injuries occurring on the team, Khris Middleton stepped up in a major way this season for the Milwaukee Bucks, averaging 13.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. Middleton would be an inexpensive option for a starting shooting guard, and would absolutely fit right into the Hawks' floor spacing offense, averaging over 42% shooting from both the field and beyond the arc this season.

2. Brandan Wright

2. Brandan Wright

The Hawks need a backup option at center that can do more than just rebound well and play aggressive defense. Brandan Wright would be a great option based on his high field goal percentage (60% career shooting average), his ability to hit clutch free throws (69% career average), and knack for playing quality defense, averaging over 1.5 blocks per game this past season. Wright would be a big pickup for the Hawks' secondary frontcourt.

1. Jae Crowder

1. Jae Crowder

Jae Crowder will arguably be the best free agent find this summer based on his recent play and low-end contract. Crowder is emerging as one of the better small forwards in the league, and in such a short amount of time with Boston this season, averaged 9.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. Finding a replacement for DeMarre Carroll will be difficult if he leaves, but Crowder could ease that pain.

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Jared Doyle is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.

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