By Noah Lourie (@noah_lourie)

After receiving a big contract extension following a breakout 2015/16 season, expectations were high for Kent Bazemore to have a great 2016/17. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned; Baze’s season was horribly inconsistent and ugly. The expectations on Baze and his new role as a go-to player made it a rough year for him. Now in his second year in his expanded role, Bazemore looks a lot more under control. He’s playing shooting guard now because Taurean Prince has earned the starting SF role, and it has suited him very well. He is recording career highs in points (13.2), assists (3.6) and steals (1.7). His 1.7 steals per game are 7th in the NBA as he’s become one of the better perimeter defenders in the league. He’s shooting more than ever and making more too; his 37.9% 3pt shooting is the best mark of his career. His turnovers have increased too, but that is to be expected as he’s playing the most minutes of his career and is now a guard who has the ball much more often. Baze is a more consistent and efficient player than last season or any other season for that matter. He finished 49th among shooting guards in 3-point field goal percentage last season, he’s at 23rd this season.

Most importantly, the Hawks are better with Kent Bazemore on the floor, which wasn’t the case last season. Baze has shined in clutch time as he’s hit two game winners in the last two weeks. I have to admit, I have been one to call Baze out a lot. I’ve written that it is in the Hawk’s best interest to trade him; now I’m rethinking that. I believe that Baze would be a great veteran presence to have alongside the up and coming Hawks like Taurean Prince, John Collins, Tyler Dorsey, Dennis Schroder, Deandre Bembry, and whomever the Hawks draft at the end of this season. We’ve seen teams with loads of young talent struggle because they don’t have any veteran players to help the newcomers. The Suns have been doing it for years and the Sixers have finally just begun to sign some veterans like J.J. Redick to play alongside all of their talented young players. The Hawks have a lot of guys in their first or second years in the NBA and in the next few years, they’ll draft some even better ones. With Kent Bazemore there to lead the young guys, anchor the defense, and supply energy on offense, he could be a big piece of the Hawk’s rebuild.

Featured Image: Soaring Down South