The Hawks made bolstering their defense a priority in free agency. They took another step in that direction by agreeing to terms with Kent Bazemore on a two-year, $4 million contract, according to a person familiar with the situation. The deal was agreed upon late Friday night.
In Bazemore, a 6-foot-5 guard/forward, the Hawks add another long, athletic wing with strong defensive abilities to their roster. The Hawks also were impressed by his potential on offense. The hope is that his production, on defense and offense, will be similar to that of DeMarre Carroll.
The unrestricted free agent visited the Hawks in Atlanta last week. He left without agreeing to a deal.
The Hawks will now have approximately $9 million in salary-cap space. They are all but out of the bidding for Luol Deng, a prime target of the team during free agency. The forward is commanding a higher salary than the Hawks are willing to pay for a player not considered a franchise changer.
The 25-year-old Bazemore became an unrestricted free agent when the Lakers did not make him a $1.1 million qualifying offer last month. The Lakers did have interest in bringing Bazemore back. He was acquired last season at the trade deadline by the Lakers, along with MarShon Brooks, from the Warriors in exchange for Steve Blake. Bazemore averaged 6.0 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists last season. In his 23 games (15 starts) with the Lakers, he averaged 13.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 28.0 minutes. During that time he set single-game career highs in points (23, twice), assists (eight), rebounds (seven) and steals (six).
Bazemore suffered a right foot injury that ended his season April 7. Nine days later he underwent surgery to repair the peroneus longus tendon. He is expected to be fully recovered for next season.
Bazemore went undrafted out of Old Dominion in 2012. He signed with the Warriors after playing for the team in the Las Vegas Summer League. He did several stints in the NBA Development League during his time with the Warriors.
Bazemore joins Thabo Sefolosha as the Hawks’ free-agent acquisitions this offseason.
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