The Atlanta Hawks have found their Paul Millsap replacement, sort of. According to Shams Charania of The Vertical, the team has re-signed free agent power forward Ersan Ilyasova to a one-year deal worth $6 million.
Free agent Ersan Ilyasova has agreed to a one-year, $6M deal with the Atlanta Hawks, league sources tell The Vertical.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 13, 2017
Ilyasova played for the Hawks during the latter half of last season as well, averaging 10.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game in 26 appearances. Known for his outside shooting beyond anything else, Ilyasova shot 34.8 percent from behind the arc as a member of the Hawks.
The Hawks have officially hit the rebuild button after signing-and-trading Millsap. Ilyasova will not have a major effect in the win column, as the Hawks will presumably tank for a better draft pick, but his threat as a decent shooter can free up the young players on the roster, aiding their development.
Ilyasova also gives the Hawks a trade chip. A playoff team desperate to add shooting could come knocking at their door, willing to give up a pick to get the big man.
