Defensive Specialist Shortlists Hawks as Buyout Suitor

With the second half of the season upon them, several NBA teams are working diligently to fill out their roster before the playoffs. Among them, the Atlanta Hawks figure prominently in rumors.

A franchise that’s made significant changes to its personnel since general manager Landry Fields took over ahead of the 2020-21 season, Atlanta is discontented by their current 24-31 record. Over the course of the 2023-24 season, they’ve been unlucky, affected by injuries to multiple starters. However, their problems run deeper than that, as their passive defense has allowed opponents to score at will. Furthermore, the Hawks aren’t getting enough consistency from their spot-up shooters.

Danuel House Jr. to the Hawks?

Breaking the news on Milwaukee Bucks guard Patrick Beverley’s “Pat Bev Pod,” veteran wing Danuel House Jr.’s camp revealed that he’s considering offers from several East teams. House, traded by the Philadelphia 76ers in February, was waived by the Detroit Pistons ahead of a Mar. 1 deadline to remain playoff eligible.

Curiously, the Atlanta Hawks are the lone franchise explicitly named as a suitor. Whether that means the Hawks are the betting favorites is uncertain. Nonetheless, the news bodes well for Atlanta, who could House’s skillset.

Offensively, House is more or less a 3-point specialist. 60.5 percent of his career field goal attempts have been 3-pointers. Of those attempts, 42.1 percent are taken at the corners, an important shot for modern day offenses.

He’s streaky, with three seasons shooting above 36 percent from 3 over the past six seasons and three seasons shooting below that mark. That’s the case for his corner 3 attempts as well. Nonetheless, at this juncture, the Hawks don’t need another player that needs the ball in his hands.

Defensively, House makes his money by utilizing his length, lateral quickness, and fluid hips. His screen navigation and ability to stay with his man on-ball would be welcomed by the Hawks, who struggle in both areas. At 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds, House is also capable of guarding multiple perimeter players, the hallmark of a defensive specialist.

It’s worth noting that House played for the Utah Jazz for 25 games in the 2021-22 season. There, House would be introduced to Quin Snyder, who was then the Jazz head coach. House also played alongside Clint Capela when he was a member of the Houston Rockets. In terms of his chemistry and fit, the familiarity he has with multiple members of the Hawks is promising.