Kent Bazemore says home is where the heart is.
The small forward will remain with the Hawks after he agreed to a four-year, $70 million contract as an unrestricted free agent late Friday night, according to a person familiar with the situation. The deal cannot be signed until the end of the NBA moratorium on July 7.
Bazemore has come a long way from the two-year, $4 million contract he signed with the Hawks in 2014 and then grew into a starter last season.
Bazemore posted a picture on Instagram of him celebrating while wearing a Hawks uniform with the caption “Never mind the face, home is where the heart is. #TrueToAtlanta”
By signing center Dwight Howard and Bazemore on Friday, the Hawks have likely moved on from either Al Horford or Paul Millsap. Horford, the unrestricted free agent center and four-time all-star, could end his career in Atlanta after nine seasons by signing elsewhere or he could be part of a sign-and-trade deal. Millsap is also a candidate to be traded as the three-time all-star could net a substantial return.
Bazemore repeated his desire to remain in Atlanta, where he quickly became a fan favorite. He credited the Hawks organization for giving him an opportunity.
“He prefers the Hawks because they took a chance on him,” said Austin Walton, Bazemore’s Atlanta-based agent. “Before he really had an opportunity in the NBA, they saw something in him. They gave him an opportunity and he’s had a chance to flourish here. He really likes coach Bud and the front office. He likes his teammates. And he has really made it a home. He’s gravitated to the city and the fans. He’d like to stay here if possible. Hopefully, Atlanta wants him here.”
Atlanta did.
Bazemore, who turned 27 and got engaged this summer, completed a career year as a first-time starter last season for the Hawks. He started 68 of 75 games and had career-bests with 11.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
“I just going to keep forcing the envelope,” Bazemore said in his exit interview in May. “I don’t really put any limitations on myself. I just work.”
The Hawks are moving in a new direction and Bazemore is a big part of the future.
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