Free Agency Analysis: Cam Bairstow to The Hawks

With free agency underway, NBL Media’s Liam Santamaria is taking a look at each and every signing and breaking down what it all means ahead of #NBL21.

SIGNING SNAPSHOT: CAM BAIRSTOW TO THE HAWKS

Signed by: The Hawks

The deal: One year

Age: 29

2019-20 team: Rytas Vilnius (Lithuania)

2019-20 stats (per game): 6.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 46.7 FG%, 31.2 3P%, 63.4 FT%

Projected role: Starting power forward/centre.

Quote: “The Hawks have new ownership, a new direction, a new coach, so it is an exciting thing to be back for the start of something new.” – Cam Bairstow

My take: The Hawks aren’t messing around, following their recent big signings with the addition of another high-level operator in Bairstow. 

The former NBA big man is a savvy signing by Goorjian & Co. as he’ll bring a strong, skilled interior presence to this almost entirely re-built roster.

Bairstow posted fairly modest numbers in Europe last year, averaging around 7 and 3 as a role-playing starter on a pretty strong Rytas team. In reality, what he did for Brisbane the previous year serves as a better guide for what he’s likely to produce for the Hawks. In that season, Bairstow finally got healthy and was a key piece on a finals team, putting up averages of around 12 and 6. That’s about where I see him in NBL21.

Beyond the numbers though, Bairstow will bring much-needed experience and veteran leadership to what is going to be a pretty youthful Hawks squad. He’ll also add versatility, with his ability to play as either a powerful four or an undersized five, depending on the line-ups Goorjian wants to roll out. 

All in all, this is another impressive signing by the Hawks and their new decision-makers.