Dewayne Dedmon
The Atlanta Hawks are firmly out of the tank race thanks to a formidable duo of big men. John Collins has been talked about a lot thanks to his budding potential and play thus far.
However, Dewayne Dedmon is having an impressive year in preparation for another offseason in free agency.
Dedmon really has been quietly unbelievable. At 29-years-old, he’s shooting a career high 39% from 3 on 3.4 attempts per game.
The seven-footer began to stretch his game beyond the arc last season for a Hawks team prime for experimentation. He’s now continued his growth with more consistency from range and an ever-improving percentage from the line.
Phoenix Suns
If his exceptional (for a seven-footer) shooting continues, Dedmon could be a valuable stretch five for any team. His defense is still solid, clocking in with a real plus/minus of 1.36 on the defensive end. He should be on more radars given the recent improvements in his game. James Jones should be looking to pair Deandre Ayton and Dewayne Dedmon for the 2019-2020 season. The two would make an intriguing big man duo.
Ayton would handle touches in the paint. Dedmon can stretch the floor. On defense, Dedmon offers the capabilities that not many stretch bigs can.
Ayton and Dedmon would struggle guarding small ball fours, but Ayton is extremely athletic for his size and should grow more on the defensive end. Factor in Phoenix being a relatively unsung destination, and Dedmon is a realistic option for an organization that isn’t able to attract an Anthony Davis, Kristaps Porzingis, or the like.
Having two seven-footers on the court at the same time in this day and age is zigging while everyone else is zagging.
And yet, a big lineup with Ayton and Dedmon would be really interesting.
It offers Igor the ability to go excessively big. Or bring Dedmon off the bench as the perfect stretch five in the second rotation.
Welcoming in the Atlanta center would offer the Suns valuable lineup flexibility for marginally less than what a premier stretch big garners in free agency (Dedmon is currently on a two year, $14 million deal).
Phoenix shouldn’t be looking at the top tier. Rather, focus on guys that can give productive minutes and can fit alongside the star pieces you already have in house.
Speaking of guys that can fit alongside those homegrown stars, a true point guard hole is still left in the desert.