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Timberwolves Free Agency: Atlanta Hawks Edition

By Ben Beecken

Dec 21, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) is defended by Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the second half at Philips Arena. The Timberwolves defeated the Hawks 92-84. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) is defended by Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the second half at Philips Arena. The Timberwolves defeated the Hawks 92-84. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 20, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Ersan Ilyasova (7) looks to pass the ball as he is defended by Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams (back) during the first half of the game at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Ersan Ilyasova (7) looks to pass the ball as he is defended by Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams (back) during the first half of the game at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /

Ersan Ilyasova

Ilyasova had an odd 2016-17 season after splitting the 2015-16 campaign between Detroit and Orlando.

In June, the Magic shipped the Turkish big man to Oklahoma City along with Victor Oladipo. After appearing in the first three games of the current campaign with the Thunder, he was sent to Philadelphia along with a future first-round pick in exchange for Jerami Grant. Ilyasova appeared in 53 games, starting 40, for the 76ers before being sent to Atlanta just prior to the trade deadline.

In 82 games across three organizations, Ilyasova had one of the better years of his careers, averaging 13.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game while shooting 35.3 percent from beyond the arc.

While not a good defender, Ilyasova is a solid spot-up jump shooter and rebounds the ball decent enough for a stretch-four big man. He’s probably best used as a situational player at something less than his career average of 24.4 minutes per-game, but is certainly still a valuable contributor as he heads into his age-30 season.

Unless Nemanja Bjelica (and his extremely modest contract) was to be moved in the off-season, it’s tough to see minutes in the Timberwolves rotation for Ilyasova. He could be a decent-enough team defender in Tom Thibodeau’s scheme while adding a bump in outside shooting for the Wolves, but probably not at the price that he might command.

Verdict: If Bjelica (or even Gorgui Dieng) was to be moved during the off-season, keep an eye on Ilyasova. Otherwise, his skillset is fairly redundent.