Peachtree Hoops: 2023-24 Atlanta Hawks season review: Saddiq Bey

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Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images

Bey’s first full season had an unfortunately premature end.

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

With John Collins then being moved in the summer, Bey was one of the players who was considered to take the now vacated starting power forward spot for the 2023-24 season. Snyder was secretive about who of Bey or Jalen Johnson would step into that role, but ultimately it was Bey who got the nod on opening night. However, with two losses to begin the season Bey was promptly moved to the bench and Johnson into the starting lineup, and that was the end of that debate as to who the starting power forward should be. Johnson clearly went on to have a positive season.

Well, when both Bey and Johnson were healthy that was, but this was not the state of affairs for the Atlanta Hawks — who ran into numerous health issues this season that saw not just Johnson in and out of the lineup but De’Andre Hunter too. Bey’s availability throughout the season as the Hawks’ frontcourt ran through injuries was a positive to the team, as he was simply able to plug in where needed. In the end, Bey started 51 of the 63 games he participated 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 in 32.7 minutes per game.

To be sure, Bey’s season had ups and downs, especially from behind the arc. Bey attempted 5.7 threes a game this season, but this was by far his worse season shooting the three at 31%. Bey shot 27% from three over a two month span from December 8th to February 8th (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 stretch, Bey had the continued support of his teammates.

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

“Just got to tell him to keep shooting,” added Jalen Johnson. “We need him shooting his shots. Those shots are going to end up falling. Everybody goes through slumps, it’s part of a long season. He’s going to figure it out. We all have confidence in him that he’s going to find his shot again, it’s just a matter of time.”

In that two month stretch, Bey produced a game-winner for the Hawks against the Toronto Raptors with a follow dunk off of a Trae Young miss:

Bey did recover somewhat from his shooting woes but never fully turned it around. Despite that, he was a key and consistent contributor, who was strong in attacking the rim and getting the Hawks to the free throw line where he took over three a game. In fact, Bey’s season-high of 26 points — coming in that same Toronto game — was helped by 15 free throw attempts, a season-high from the free throw line.

“We’re always telling him to be aggressive and stay aggressive,” said Young of Bey after the Raptors game. “He didn’t hit a three tonight, but you could feel his presence because he was attacking the basket and getting rebounds. That only opens up the court for me and DJ when we’re on the court when other guys are going and feeling good and making shots that’s how it opens the floor for everybody else. We always need it from him.”

Bey’s contributions for this season were typified by his availability, being able to step in and step up for others as they were injured at various points. However, a cruel twist on his season came on March 10th against the New Orleans Pelicans where Bey sustained an injury while going up for a layup before coming down awkwardly on his left knee when challenged at the rim. It looked serious at the time and, sure enough, it was later revealed that Bey had sustained a season-ending ACL injury. It was an unfortunate and brutal end for Bey, who was set to appear in 70+ games for the season in a season where the Hawks had benefitted from his availability. And this was just before Jalen Johnson returned to the lineup to further consolidate the Hawks’ depth having Johnson, Bey and Hunter to call upon.

It was a bitter brutal blow for Bey, who was already heading for restricted free agency having not come to an agreement on an extension. And so now his future remains even more uncertain. Bey was not present for the Hawks’ exit interviews, so it remains unclear about where things lie not just with regard his injury but his future in tandem with the team.

I think everyone can agree that Saddiq Bey’s season was filled with highs and lows, potentially more lows than highs. That said, Bey was a solidly productive player who was largely available in a season where the Hawks’ frontcourt struggled to remain healthy. And the Hawks were ultimately better off having Bey among their ranks than potentially not having him next season. His loss would hurt the Hawks’ depth next season, but who knows when Bey would even return and how long it would take for him to look normal again. An unfortunate situation for all involved, but for Bey most of all as he enters free agency...

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