Atlanta Hawks 2023-24 season review: Saddiq Bey

Having been acquired midway through the 2022-23 season, Hawks forward Saddiq Bey had shown flashes of potential to end a season that saw him and Hawks head coach Quin Snyder, effectively begin their tenure in Atlanta together. Bey shot 40% on three of five attempts in 25 games to end that campaign, and he was a consistent contributor off Atlanta’s bench. He represented a notable acquisition for the Hawks depth and would certainly help for the following season.

With John Collins then being moved this summer, Bey was one of the players considered to fill the now-vacant starting power forward spot for the 2023-24 season. Snyder wasn’t sure whether Bey or Jalen Johnson would take on the role, but ultimately it was Bey who got the nod on opening night. However, with two losses early in the season, Bey was quickly moved to the bench and Johnson into the starting lineup, and that was the end of this debate over who the starting striker should be. Johnson has clearly had a positive season.

Well, that was the case when Bey and Johnson were healthy, but that wasn’t the situation for the Atlanta Hawks – who faced numerous health issues this season that saw not only Johnson in and out of the lineup, but also De’Andre Hunter. . Bey’s availability throughout the season, as the Hawks’ frontcourt struggled with injuries, was a positive for the team, as he was simply able to connect where needed. Ultimately, Bey started 51 of the 63 games he played in and averaged 13.7 points per game on 41% shooting from the field, 31% from three, 83.7% from the free throw line on 3.2 attempts, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists. 32.7 minutes per game.

Certainly, Bey’s season has had its ups and downs, especially behind the arc. Bey attempted 5.7 threes per game this season, but this was by far his worst season shooting threes at 31%. Bey shot 27% from three over a two-month span from December 8 to February 8 (including a 5-of-37 stretch in January) in what was a brutal stretch for Bey where he struggled from the floor.

Even during this time, Bey enjoyed continued support from his teammates.

“I believe in Saddiq so much,” Snyder said after a January loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, in which Bey was 0 of 12 from the field. “It’s a rock. His competitiveness, his focus, his work ethic. He had a few tonight that were just there and rimmed. I just want him to continue and know the confidence I have in him and his teammates have in him. Everyone goes through difficult times. He’s one of those guys, I’m sure it’s eating away at him. I just want him to keep competing and working.

“I just have to tell him to keep shooting,” Jalen Johnson added. “We need him to take his shots. These shots will eventually fall. Everyone goes through periods of crisis, it’s part of a long season. He’s going to find out. We all have faith in him and he will get his chance again, it’s just a matter of time.

During that two-month span, Bey produced a game-winner for the Hawks against the Toronto Raptors with a dunk following a Trae Young miss:

Bey recovered somewhat from his shooting woes, but never completely turned things around. Despite this, he has been a key and consistent contributor, who has been strong in attacking the rim and getting the Hawks to the free throw line where he has taken three per game. In fact, Bey’s season-high 26 points – in the same game in Toronto – was aided by a season-high 15 free throw attempts from the free throw line.

“We always tell him to be aggressive and stay aggressive,” Young said of Bey after the Raptors game. “He didn’t make a three tonight, but you could feel his presence as he attacked the basket and grabbed rebounds. It only opens the floor for me and DJ when we’re on the floor, when other guys go out there and feel good and make shots, that’s how it opens the floor for everyone. We still need him.

Bey’s contributions for this season were characterized by his availability, his ability to step in and support others while they were injured at various times. However, a cruel turning point in his season occurred on March 10 against the New Orleans Pelicans where Bey was injured while making a layup before falling awkwardly onto his left knee when he been challenged to the brink. It seemed serious at the time and, sure enough, it was later revealed that Bey had suffered a season-ending ACL injury. It was an unfortunate and abrupt end for Bey, who was scheduled to appear in more than 70 games over the course of the season in a season where the Hawks benefited from his availability. And that was just before Jalen Johnson returned to the lineup to further shore up the Hawks’ depth by bringing in Johnson, Bey and Hunter.

It was a bitter and bitter blow to Bey, who was already heading into restricted free agency without having reached an agreement on an extension. And now its future remains even more uncertain. Bey was not present during the Hawks’ exit interviews, so it’s unclear where things stand, not only regarding his injury but also his future in tandem with the team.

I think everyone can agree that Saddiq Bey’s season has been filled with ups and downs, potentially more downs than ups. That said, Bey was a solidly productive and widely available player during a season where the Hawks’ frontcourt struggled to stay healthy. And the Hawks would ultimately be better off having Bey in their ranks than not having him next season. His loss would hurt the Hawks’ depth next season, but who knows when Bey would return and how long it would take for him to return to normal. An unfortunate situation for everyone involved, but especially for Bey as he enters free agency…