Here...the Hawks are two offseasons into the post-Danny Ferry regime of Budenholzer and Wilcox, and the jury is clearly out. Budenholzer can coach. He has to prove he can build.
Maybe this works. Maybe Howard truly is humbled and willing to change. Maybe a bigger physical presence in the post will help Paul Millsap and Kent Bazemore up front in ways Horford couldn’t.
Horford sought a five-year max contract from the Hawks. That offer presumably never came.
There was a moment Saturday when it appeared the two sides would reach a deal, pair Horford and Howard together, and the Hawks would try to make the numbers work, likely by dealing Paul Millsap to get under the salary cap.
...Budenholzer looks like more than just a guy seeking change right now. He looks like a guy at the end of the crap table, throwing two dice and trying to win back his rent money.
You wanted change? You got change. You wanted improvement? That’s up for debate. Dennis Schroder might be an offensive improvement over the inconsistent Jeff Teague at point guard, but he still has moments when he looks like a pingpong ball in a wind tunnel. Bazemore might develop an offensive game that the Hawks so desperately need on the wing.
But the Hawks just lost a four-time All-Star, getting back no assets, and Millsap can opt out of his deal after next season. This could go south in a hurry. Either way, it’s on Budenholzer’s watch.
Thoughts?
Predictions?
Concerns?
