The Stars Atlanta could realistically target with the Number 1 Pick:
Hey guys,
I wrote about Atlanta, their options from this point and mentioned some stars that the Hawks could enquire about over the summer. Let me know your thoughts if you get a chance to read.
Pretty decent overview of the situation the Hawks find themselves in for non-Hawks fans. It’s not too in depth imo, but as a primer for future discussion it’s solid.
A few things I’d add:
* To path 1: The rebuild you mentioned relies on San Antonio trading back Atlanta’s draft future. What happens if San Antonio decides to keep the picks? What does that look like for the team going forward?
* For path 2, I think that if Atlanta goes down this path it’s likely that they’d decide to make moves beyond Murray. Do they move one of the centers (Capela/Okongwu) in order to make room for Sarr? Do they try to send Hunter out for a future asset and reset that part of the salary cap? Do they sell high on Bogi as they pivot into a retool? Making all of those moves is unlikely, but I do think that they should be mentioned as realistic possibilities.
* Not specific to any path, but in general the current ownership has never paid the luxury tax. The Hawks were already close to the tax line before the lottery, and with the increase in rookie salary will be above it unless they cut salary for the upcoming season. Is ownership willing to pay the tax for this team, or will their moves continue to be constrained by having to stay under the tax?
MiserableSoft2344
Good job. I think you touched on some good points. I’d reorder the paths, though. As Hawks fans, I think most of us agree keeping Trae is the most likely outcome this summer. The second is probably the total rebuild followed by trading Trae and keeping Murray.
The “trade Trae” discussion has become so redundant in national media now. I think if you dug deeper into explaining the path to building around him, you might bring more context to non-Hawks fans who just aren’t familiar with the team’s current form.
Also, I’d personally date-stamp when Murray made the comments about reuniting with Pop. That was pre-trade deadline and lots has changed since then.
OilCommon3968
Really appreciate the feedback, it’s hard to balance depth with trying to get at the overall message which to me is that Atlanta has options again. As far as your points go:
1. If San Antonio isn’t willing to get involved in talks for Trae/Dejounte and give the picks back a hard rebuild would be off the table in my books. That being said, I think Trae combined with the strength of the East (or lack thereof) put a pretty high floor on the Hawks for the next season or two. If SA isn’t willing to deal I’m looking to trade Murray for potentially valuable assets – Milwaukee picks if you deal with NOLA – Clippers picks if Philadelphia gets involved – the future Lakers picks and opening up minutes for Kobe to play next to Trae and Jalen to handle the ball more. I don’t think you risk a Brooklyn situation given the floor Trae provides so it’s more viable to bring along your young core, hope for progression and the chance to get them post season reps.
2. For the sake of word count I didn’t write ago it additional moves but yes absolutely. I’d be open to wholesale change across the roster this year barring Trae, number 1, Jalen and Kobe (he’s my guy) The Pels should have serious interest in Onyeka this off-season, I wouldn’t be surprised if Cleveland viewed him as a better front court partner than Allen for Mobley going forward, Memphis could send 9 and salary for Okongwu too. I think he could bring back a significant asset. I love Bogie but yes, I’d love for Orlando to sniff around this summer. I’m not sure that they have too many young guys that’d interest the Hawks in a Bogdanovic trade but if they feel good about next season they could send their 25 pick in exchange for Bogdan’s services. I don’t see a ton of teams round the league that would fight to get Clint or De’Andre on the books at the moment. Certainly not for a first but I’d be open to moving those guys as well as long as it isn’t at a significant asset cost.
3. I think it’s likely we see a John Collins like trade this off-season unless Atlanta feels they can get a number 2 that makes sense next to Trae that’d elevate them to being a home court team in the East next year. Certain teams could bring in guys like Bogdan, Murray, Okongwu without sending major salary back which could alleviate the need for a salary dump trade.
Thanks for taking the time to read and follow up.
crimedawgla
Jack, like you’re writing style.
I’d also draft Sarr and trade DJ for some depth pieces and some draft capital. I think Brandon Ingram caliber players are always available because they demand max contracts and they’re primarily shot creators but not number 1 guys AND they rarely have a ton of high level complementary skills.
Players love guys who can make tough midrange jumpers. It’s a Cult of Mamba thing. They never use their weight to get a dogged defender who cuts beautifully into space (yes, I want us to move DJ for Caruso and think the team would be markedly better with just that move). It’s just not a smart way for a a mid tier team that has an offensive savant as its star to put a third of the cap into a fringe all star whose best attribute is mid/efficiency shot creation when the team is low on shooting and is zeroed out on POA defenders.
Don’t overthink the draft, bring in Sarr, trade DJ for some guys who actually fill holes. Pray someone takes Clint into space and gives some sort of protected first rounder.
JKking15
Very sensible article of someone who actually seems to know what tf they are talking about while still writing those juicy headlines that generate views. Good job man. And I and many here agree with you that the most sensible thing to do is trade DJ for a couple firsts and a role player. To add on to that getting off Capelas contract to make room for Sar is a top priority and we still have the MLE to sign a guy like Tobias Harris or someone else of that caliber with. The number one pick gives us options and most importantly LEVERAGE those garbage ass offers we were getting for DJ at the trade deadline won’t cut it anymore
6 Comments
Did you mean to say Sarrs?
Pretty decent overview of the situation the Hawks find themselves in for non-Hawks fans. It’s not too in depth imo, but as a primer for future discussion it’s solid.
A few things I’d add:
* To path 1: The rebuild you mentioned relies on San Antonio trading back Atlanta’s draft future. What happens if San Antonio decides to keep the picks? What does that look like for the team going forward?
* For path 2, I think that if Atlanta goes down this path it’s likely that they’d decide to make moves beyond Murray. Do they move one of the centers (Capela/Okongwu) in order to make room for Sarr? Do they try to send Hunter out for a future asset and reset that part of the salary cap? Do they sell high on Bogi as they pivot into a retool? Making all of those moves is unlikely, but I do think that they should be mentioned as realistic possibilities.
* Not specific to any path, but in general the current ownership has never paid the luxury tax. The Hawks were already close to the tax line before the lottery, and with the increase in rookie salary will be above it unless they cut salary for the upcoming season. Is ownership willing to pay the tax for this team, or will their moves continue to be constrained by having to stay under the tax?
Good job. I think you touched on some good points. I’d reorder the paths, though. As Hawks fans, I think most of us agree keeping Trae is the most likely outcome this summer. The second is probably the total rebuild followed by trading Trae and keeping Murray.
The “trade Trae” discussion has become so redundant in national media now. I think if you dug deeper into explaining the path to building around him, you might bring more context to non-Hawks fans who just aren’t familiar with the team’s current form.
Also, I’d personally date-stamp when Murray made the comments about reuniting with Pop. That was pre-trade deadline and lots has changed since then.
Really appreciate the feedback, it’s hard to balance depth with trying to get at the overall message which to me is that Atlanta has options again. As far as your points go:
1.
If San Antonio isn’t willing to get involved in talks for Trae/Dejounte and give the picks back a hard rebuild would be off the table in my books. That being said, I think Trae combined with the strength of the East (or lack thereof) put a pretty high floor on the Hawks for the next season or two.
If SA isn’t willing to deal I’m looking to trade Murray for potentially valuable assets – Milwaukee picks if you deal with NOLA – Clippers picks if Philadelphia gets involved – the future Lakers picks and opening up minutes for Kobe to play next to Trae and Jalen to handle the ball more. I don’t think you risk a Brooklyn situation given the floor Trae provides so it’s more viable to bring along your young core, hope for progression and the chance to get them post season reps.
2.
For the sake of word count I didn’t write ago it additional moves but yes absolutely. I’d be open to wholesale change across the roster this year barring Trae, number 1, Jalen and Kobe (he’s my guy)
The Pels should have serious interest in Onyeka this off-season, I wouldn’t be surprised if Cleveland viewed him as a better front court partner than Allen for Mobley going forward, Memphis could send 9 and salary for Okongwu too. I think he could bring back a significant asset.
I love Bogie but yes, I’d love for Orlando to sniff around this summer. I’m not sure that they have too many young guys that’d interest the Hawks in a Bogdanovic trade but if they feel good about next season they could send their 25 pick in exchange for Bogdan’s services.
I don’t see a ton of teams round the league that would fight to get Clint or De’Andre on the books at the moment. Certainly not for a first but I’d be open to moving those guys as well as long as it isn’t at a significant asset cost.
3.
I think it’s likely we see a John Collins like trade this off-season unless Atlanta feels they can get a number 2 that makes sense next to Trae that’d elevate them to being a home court team in the East next year.
Certain teams could bring in guys like Bogdan, Murray, Okongwu without sending major salary back which could alleviate the need for a salary dump trade.
Thanks for taking the time to read and follow up.
Jack, like you’re writing style.
I’d also draft Sarr and trade DJ for some depth pieces and some draft capital. I think Brandon Ingram caliber players are always available because they demand max contracts and they’re primarily shot creators but not number 1 guys AND they rarely have a ton of high level complementary skills.
Players love guys who can make tough midrange jumpers. It’s a Cult of Mamba thing. They never use their weight to get a dogged defender who cuts beautifully into space (yes, I want us to move DJ for Caruso and think the team would be markedly better with just that move). It’s just not a smart way for a a mid tier team that has an offensive savant as its star to put a third of the cap into a fringe all star whose best attribute is mid/efficiency shot creation when the team is low on shooting and is zeroed out on POA defenders.
Don’t overthink the draft, bring in Sarr, trade DJ for some guys who actually fill holes. Pray someone takes Clint into space and gives some sort of protected first rounder.
Very sensible article of someone who actually seems to know what tf they are talking about while still writing those juicy headlines that generate views. Good job man. And I and many here agree with you that the most sensible thing to do is trade DJ for a couple firsts and a role player. To add on to that getting off Capelas contract to make room for Sar is a top priority and we still have the MLE to sign a guy like Tobias Harris or someone else of that caliber with. The number one pick gives us options and most importantly LEVERAGE those garbage ass offers we were getting for DJ at the trade deadline won’t cut it anymore