The way things are looking this summer, the Atlanta Hawks are in a complete rebuilding process. Last season they finished fifth in the Eastern Conference standings with a solid, 43-39 record, and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Wizards. After that, it looks like they decided to go in a different direction as they've made some notable roster changes. Dwight Howard was moved to the Charlotte Hornets, and Paul Millsap left the team to sign with the Denver Nuggets. Also, Tim Hardaway Jr. left the Hawks and joined the New York Knicks earlier this offseason.
But even though they lost some good and valuable players this summer, the Hawks decided to bring back a key, veteran player to a one-year deal.
Ersan Ilyasova stays in Atlanta
Shams Charania of The Vertical reported on Thursday that the Atlanta Hawks have signed a one-year deal with Ersan Ilyasova to keep him in Atlanta. Ilyasova played for the Hawks last season, but this summer he was a free-agent as his contract expired. Atlanta decided that his experience and veteran leadership will be valuable to the team next season, and offered him a one-year contract 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) 13. srpnja 2017.
The 6-foot-10 power forward from Turkey played 26 games for the Hawks last season and averaged 10.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.
Ilyasova is regarded as a great rebounder and a solid shooter as he connected on 34% of his three-pointers last season with Atlanta. He is a 9-year NBA veteran and holds career averages of 11.0 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. The Hawks will look for him to be the leader next season for this young, inexperienced Atlanta team and also contribute on the offensive and defensive end of the floor.
Considering all the roster changes Atlanta has made so far, Ilyasova might be in the starting lineup next season.
Jerebko headed to Utah
After losing their best player this summer, Gordon Hayward, the Utah Jazz are trying to find ways to stay relevant in the Western Conference next season. It will be hard, considering how good and valuable Hayward was for them over the past few years but the Jazz are not ready to start rebuilding all over again.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported on Thursday that Utah has signed a two-year deal with Jonas Jerebko.
Free agent Jonas Jerebko has agreed to a two-year, $8.2M deal with Utah, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) 13. srpnja 2017.
Jerebko was a free agent this summer and he reportedly signed a contract worth $8.2 million with the Jazz. He played for the Boston Celtics last season, and in 78 games played with the Celtics, he averaged 3.8 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. Jerebko entered the league in 2009, and he holds career averages of 6.2 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.
