The Atlanta Hawks were not only the second-worst team in the East before the 2019-20 season was suspended, but they were also the worst 3-point shooting team in the NBA.
Despite having Trae Young and Kevin Huerter on the roster, Atlanta was shooting just 33.3 percent from deep as a team before the season was suspended. With that said, the Hawks are going to need to acquire more shooters around Young and talented big man John Collins as soon as possible.
One player Atlanta must target whenever the 2020 free agency period begins is Davis Bertans, one of the best stretch-four shooters in the NBA. The Latvian becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer and the Washington Wizards are going to have A LOT of competition for him after the way he shot the ball in the nation's capital in just his first year with the team.
Bertans shot 42.4 percent from deep in 2019-20 with the Wizards while averaging 15.4 points per game. The 27-year-old hit 200 triples in just 54 games. That's the type of production the Hawks need next to Young.
Opposing defenses would have nightmares trying to defend Young and Bertans in pick-and-pop plays since both guys are elite shooters and have to be guarded as soon as they cross half-court due to their unlimited shooting range.
With Bertans roaming around the arc spotting up from 3, Young and Collins would have more driving lanes to attack the basket and score at will.
Defenders are NEVER going to leave Bertans open from the wing. Young and the other slashers on the Hawks can drive on Bertans' side of the floor and get to the basket easier since there will be bigger lanes to attack.
The Hawks have a ton of cap space moving forward. They will most likely have to offer Bertans a deal that starts at $13 million annually since he's going to be a hot commodity on the open market.
Since making his NBA debut in 2016 with the San Antonio Spurs, Bertans has averaged 8.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists while shooting 41.1 percent from deep.
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