Atlanta Hawks veteran small forward Kent Bazemore is generating interest from contending teams on the trade market, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times.
Bazemore is making $18.1 million this season and has a player option worth $19.3 million for next year. The Hawks are in rebuild mode and currently have the worst record in the NBA at 6-23.
The Hawks like Bazemore for both his on-court production and his veteran presence in a young Atlanta locker room. But he’s generating interest from contending teams that covet a versatile swingman.
The interest in Bazemore — in addition to the longstanding rumblings about the expiring Hawks contracts of Jeremy Lin ($13.7 million) and Dewayne Dedmon ($7.2 million) — comes even with one more season left on his contract after this one at a heady $19.3 million. Which tells you that, in this marketplace, he’s regarded as a difference-maker.
Bazemore is averaging 13.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game this season for the lowly Hawks. The seven-year veteran is shooting 44.3 percent from the field, 31.3 percent from beyond the arc and 77.9 percent from the free-throw line.
Bazemore would be a valuable asset to a playoff team. He can shoot the ball well, plays good defense and gets out on the open floor with his athleticism and speed.
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