Ersan Ilyasova, Hawks Reportedly Agree to 1-Year, $6 Million Contract

As the NBA pushes more and more toward a five-out system, players who can stretch the floor from big spots are more valuable than ever. Ersan Ilyasova cashed in on that value Thursday, agreeing to a one-year, $6 million contract with the Atlanta Hawks, The Vertical's Shams Charania reported.

Ilyasova, 30, split the 2016-17 season with the Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers and Oklahoma City Thunder. 

He was dealt to the Thunder on draft day as part of the deal that sent Serge Ibaka to the Magic. The Thunder then traded him to Philadelphia, who shipped him to Atlanta at the trade deadline. 

The NBA has been an up-and-down road for Ilyasova, as he's flashed stretch 4 skills amid a pile of injuries. He's missed 20 or more games two of the last four seasons. Last season was the first time he'd ever played 82 games over a full season.

Acquiring Ilyasova is all about floor spacing. He's a career 36.6 percent shooter from deep, a good number for a big, and isn't at the point where he can command the high salary of a starting job.

Basketball Reference's on-off stats had him as a net positive for the Hawks and Sixers last season, but for his career, his teams have been markedly better defensively with him on the bench.

In a smaller role where he averages 20 or so minutes per game, Ilyasova will be a fine addition. He's never going to be much of a defender and lacks the dribble/pass creativity to become the en vogue playmaking 4. But in an offense where there's a rim protector helping him on defense and he doesn't have to play small forward, he's a solid addition.