The Atlanta Hawks finished the 2015-2016 season with long-term uncertainty at the point guard position. Jeff Teague was the incumbent, five-year starter, but the now 28-year-old was facing free agency. Dennis Schröder was the brash 22-year-old who served as a solid two-year backup with real upside and a desire for the limelight.
In short order, the Hawks moved on from Teague to pave the way for Schröder’s run as the starter at the position, leaving the organization searching far and wide for a backup candidate. Mike Budenholzer, Wes Wilcox and company added veteran stop-gap Jarrett Jack on a one-year, minimum contract, but prior to that, Atlanta made a two-year, $5 million investment in former Virginia Tech guard Malcolm Delaney.