Detroit Pistons: 5 potential offseason targets from the Atlanta Hawks
Detroit Pistons: Buyout and expiring contract on the Atlanta Hawks
Danilo Gallinari
Midway through the season there was a lot of talk that the Hawks would try to use Gallinari’s contract to get Jerami Grant. Gallinari has $21.4 million coming to him next season, but only $5 million is guaranteed, so the Hawks could buy him out or ship him off to a team that wanted to clear some cap space.
I don’t see Gallinari as a trade option, but if the Hawks were to buy him out the Detroit Pistons might have some interest in adding him on a low-cost bench deal. Gallinari is 33-years-old and can’t guard anyone, but he can do something the Pistons desperately need, which is shoot the 3-point shot.
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Gallinari is a 38 percent 3-point shooter on his career and the veteran is still skilled enough to be a weapon in the pick-and-roll.
If I had to guess, I’d say the Hawks will buy Gallinari out and then he’ll join a contender on a minimum deal. But if the Pistons wanted to take a low-cost flyer on a veteran shooter, he is a name to watch if Atlanta does buy him out.
De’Andre Hunter
The 24-year-old Hunter is entering the final year of his contract, as the Hawks already picked up his $9.8 million option for next season. They will have to decide whether to extend him in the offseason or risk letting him become a restricted free agent in 2023-24.
Hunter is a solid 3-and-D guy who shot 37.9 percent from 3-point range this season and just put up 35 points and 11 rebounds in the Hawks’ deciding loss to the Heat. He’s a tough player who fits the mold of a Troy Weaver guy, but what would it take to get him and is he a fit?
If the Hawks decide not to extend Hunter, they could trade him before the deadline to avoid risking losing him for nothing. If so, they’d likely be looking for a young player and a pick, a trade package that would be less than what Jerami Grant would likely fetch.
Unless the Pistons were to trade Grant, I can’t see Hunter as a fit, as they are not likely to have the ammo to get him and his skills are somewhat redundant.
But the Hawks do have one guy who is not only a fit, but might be the perfect trade candidate for the Detroit Pistons.