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Where they finished the year
Atlanta finishes the season 20-47, the fourth-worst record in the NBA, which means the Hawks will have a 12.5 percent chance at the No. 1 overall pick when the draft lottery is held. Only Golden State, Cleveland and Minnesota finished with a worse record than the Hawks.....What’s unfortunate is Cleveland and Minnesota played fewer games than Atlanta, which gave both teams a difference of a few hundredths of a percentage point in terms of having a worse winning percentage. That slight difference means the Hawks won’t have a 14 percent chance at the No. 1 pick and a higher floor for where they could fall on lottery night. As of now, the lowest the Hawks could pick is eighth, and there’s a 2.2 percent chance of that happening


Players hurt/helped by the end of the season
Cam Reddish had improved offensively every single month since his horrid start in October.......It was clear Reddish was finding his groove and getting more comfortable each game.

De’Andre Hunter also was playing the best basketball of his rookie season.....after the All-Star break, Hunter averaged 13.1 points and 7.6 rebounds per game while shooting better than 40 percent from 3......

Collins is negatively impacted by the season being over. He’s looking for a large contract this offseason, and the question becomes: Will the Hawks give him one even though he played in only 41 games? The stats he amassed in half a season are tremendous.....

Vince Carter not having a proper send-off for his Hall of Fame career ....

Trae Young.....with his usage rate being so high  — the fewer non-meaningful minutes he can play, the better it is for his future and the Hawks’ future.

First order of business in the offseason
The draft is the most important event of the offseason for most rebuilding teams. Depending on the lottery results, what the Hawks decide to do with their pick is one of the most fascinating storylines for this organization during the next few months. Will the Hawks decide to just keep their pick and add another young player to their already inexperienced roster? Or will they try to trade their pick in some sort of package for future assets or an established player?

jayu70 wrote:It will be interesting to see how this gets resolved.

kg01 wrote:

jayu70 wrote:It will be interesting to see how this gets resolved.

Now we see the real reason Ressler was lobbying so hard for inclusion in the bubble. I don't blame him, I guess.

Schlenk said the team’s virtual draft meetings are progressing, but the Hawks have yet to interview any player projected inside the top 10. It’s not too surprising as most projected top picks end up waiting until after the draft lottery order is set. The biggest priority for the Hawks this offseason, Schlenk said, is adding more depth. He said it’s not a secret that the team’s depth last season didn’t pan out so adding a quality bench is what he’s going to try to do this offseason. The Hawks added Capela and Dewayne Dedmon at the center position at the deadline, and center was a position that needed significant upgrades, so they’re set there, but he said depth at backup point guard, on the wings and the four spot is what they’re looking at this offseason. He did mention that he plans on having contract talks with Jeff Teague when that time comes.

• As far as spending goes, the Hawks will have the most cap space in the NBA even if there’s a dip in the salary cap. Right now, they’re projected to have around $50 million to spend. “(Owner) Tony (Ressler) has given me the green light to spend since Day 1 when I got the job,” Schlenk said. That’s not a concern. The one thing I will say that I keep constantly reminding him is that just because you have the money doesn’t make it right to spend the money. You have to be smart. I honestly believe the worst thing that teams can do is when they have the money and owners or people in my position feel the pressure to go out and spend it. You give out a long, big contract, and you guys have probably heard me say this, but those mistakes can really hamper your franchise. When you give out those long, big contracts, you need to make sure they’re the right guys.”

John Collins was mentioned as one of the players who has been in the practice facility almost every single day since it reopened. “He’s motivated to be a good player,” Schlenk said. Reminder (if you need one): Collins is eligible for a rookie extension this offseason. He told The Athletic in March that he feels like he’s in the max contract conversation.

• There was some talk about improving defensively, but it’s going to take individual growth from everyone. No revealing or surprising quotes with this topic. It’s simple: The Hawks hope the young players continue to get better defensively as they get more experience in the league. Schlenk did mention that turning the ball over in transition was a killer for the Hawks this season.

The Biggest Offseason Question for Every NBA Team



Atlanta Hawks

Record: 20-47 (14th in Eastern Conference)

2020 NBA draft picks (pre-lottery, per Tankathon.com): 4, 52

Pending free agents: Jeff Teague, Vince Carter, Treveon Graham, DeAndre’ Bembry (restricted), Skal Labissiere (restricted), Damian Jones (restricted)

The big question: What does Atlanta think it needs to level up?

The Hawks want to make the playoffs next year. We know this because despite being one of the worst teams in the league this season, they shipped out the Nets’ lottery-protected 2020 first-round pick to bring in Clint Capela, a rim-running, shot-blocking center in his prime, in hopes that he might be the answer to ascendant pick-and-roll playmaker Trae Young’s postseason prayers. We also know this because they followed the Capela deal by swinging a second deal for ex-Hawk Dewayne Dedmon, another shot-blocking center—this one with some stretch to his game—who can act as a backline anchor and ensure 48 minutes of rim protection for a team that’s fielded a bottom-five defense in each of the past three seasons. We also know the Hawks want to make the playoffs next year because, y’know, they said so.

Spoiler:

So: Given that organizational goal, how does Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk elevate his team from the basement to the postseason bracket? Internal growth is likely a big part of the plan. In his second season, Young became an All-Star, currently ranking fourth in the league in scoring and second in assists, and creating more buckets for his teammates at the rim than any other player in the league, according to pbpstats.com. After slow starts to their careers, De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish both came on as their rookie seasons progressed. A left rotator cuff strain threw a wrench into Kevin Huerter’s sophomore season, but he still shot 38 percent from 3-point range on six attempts per game and posted a strong 2.45-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. And after returning from his 25-game PED suspension, John Collins averaged 22.2 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, and 1.4 assists per game, shooting 59 percent from the field and 39.1 percent from 3-point land on 3.6 attempts a night—an indicator of the ongoing diversification of his offensive game and a promising sign for his potential fit as an occasional floor-spacing 4 alongside Capela. All of those players are 22 or younger; while growth and development aren’t linear and constant, the Hawks are betting that, even for Young, the best is yet to come.

The only one of those core pieces due for an immediate raise is Collins, who becomes eligible for an extension this offseason. That means, if you’ll permit me a brief Jean-Ralphio reference, the Hawks are flush with cash: They’re projected to have more than $47 million in cap space. We know that the free-agent market isn’t especially exciting this offseason for a variety of reasons, but there are some intriguing players on it, and Atlanta will have the wherewithal to splash the pot and try to make improvements.

I don’t think the Pelicans will let Brandon Ingram even approach city limits, but he’s a 22-year-old combo forward who proved this season he can thrive as a no. 1 option and after Zion Williamson’s debut, he started to show that he could still shine in a complementary role, too; why not make New Orleans prove it’s willing to pony up the max to keep him? Sure, Sacramento signaled its intention to keep ace combo guard Bogdan Bogdanovic by offloading Dedmon’s deal, but the Serbian playmaker could work on or off the ball as a smart facilitator, knockdown shooter, and gutsy late-game option alongside or backing up Young. Among more attainable options, Nets marksman Joe Harris has blossomed next to high-usage, ball-dominant point guards in Brooklyn, and might be a nice fit on the wing for a team that could use more perimeter shooting.

If none of those options pan out, maybe Schlenk decides not to waste any time and makes Collins a big offer now. Or, he might prefer to wait the year, see how the former Wake Forest big man meshes with Capela, maintain financial flexibility in the event that a superstar demands a change of scenery, and then use the right of first refusal in restricted free agency to match any offer sheet he receives next summer. Or he could dangle Atlanta’s top-half-of-the-lottery pick at the draft for immediate help. Or he could stand pat, take the best player available, trust that Trae’s playmaking brilliance plus the developing young wings are enough to at least lift Atlanta into the neighborhood of the Orlandos of the world, and keep that cap-space powder dry to try make an even bigger explosion in the summer of 2021.

Atlanta has the youth, money, and talent to put together something interesting. The question is whether Schlenk, Lloyd Pierce, and Co. can find a way to bring it all together.

Every NBA Team's 2020 Free-Agency Sales Pitch

Atlanta Hawks


We have a Stephen Curry/Steve Nash hybrid who loves to pass and will command your defender's attention.

It's not hard to see why a free agent might want to play with Trae Young. He should be at the center of any pitch from the Atlanta Hawks.

The soon-to-be third-year guard has a gravitational pull on defenses thanks to shooting range that extends well beyond the three-point line. His 73 makes from 28-plus feet trailed only Damian Lillard's 86, and he has vision, flair and a willingness to pass reminiscent of the seven-seconds-or-less version of Nash.

Put both traits together and you have one of the most productive young players of all time. Young's 29.6 points per game are tied for the seventh-highest mark in league history for an NBA sophomore. His 9.3 assists are tied for the 10th-highest average for a second-year man.

It shouldn't be hard to see why a free agent would want to play with someone who is on track to be a legitimate superstar point guard.

Key Offseason Decisions

• Should Atlanta waive Brandon Goodwin? Goodwin showed some promise as a backup for Trae Young and his deal is only for $1.7M for 2021. On the flip side, Atlanta would only need to eat $100K to waive him. The Hawks can always re-sign Goodwin to a minimum deal after they complete other offseason moves.
  
• Is it time to push in for free agents? Atlanta has good, young player in place at every key position. It is time to supplement them with veteran free agents? If so, how much do you spend and how long do you let those deals run for?
  
• How much do you offer John Collins in an extension? Collins has proven to be a very good offensive player for Atlanta. He’s capable of spacing the floor at the four or the five. Collins is also a plus rebounder. The question is his defense. How much do you pay for an offensive-minded big on a team full of offensive-minded players?

Projected Team Salary

$62,115,976

The Hawks have been building towards this point for a while now. Most of the roster is still on the first NBA contract. The lone exceptions are Clint Capela and DeWayne Dedmon, who were both acquired at the 2020 trade deadline to stabilize the center position. For Atlanta’s free agents, none of them are part of the long-term vision. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Brandon Goodwin, Skal Labissiere or Jeff Teague return, but all would be coming back for far less than their cap hold. Therefore, the projection is the Hawks renounce all of them to maximize cap space initially. (@KeithSmithNBA)

Cap Space Forecast

$44,329,094 (1st out of 30)

NBA Offseason Power Rankings

24. Atlanta Hawks (Previously 24th)

Offseason priority: Go get an impact veteran. The Atlanta Hawks brought in Clint Capela before the trade deadline, but we never got to see how he impacted a promising, but too young roster. While Capela should certainly help with some of the defensive issues, they probably need a guy on the wing to calm some things down and take some of the pressure off of Trae Young to create everything for them. It doesn’t have to be a star player, but it also can’t be Evan Turner.

Why did they end up at this ranking? I really want to believe in the Hawks and I hope they’re easily a top 20 team this coming season. They’ve got flexibility but no sure path to acquiring another good, veteran talent. Young teams have a hard time learning how to win, and this team is still very young. I wish we could’ve seen what it looked like with Clint Capela before the shutdown.

What can hypothetical future contenders like the Hawks, Bulls, Spurs and Pelicans learn from this year’s conference finalists?

Five years ago, three of this year’s four conference finalists — the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets — all missed the playoffs; This season, they comprised the crème de la crème. That’s how quickly things change.

The Hawks have assembled a young, promising talent base. All five of their leading minute-earners this season were 22 or younger, led by Trae Young and John Collins. After three consecutive losing seasons, Atlanta owns the sixth pick in the draft and is one of only a handful of teams with significant cap space this offseason.

Where do they turn in the draft? A complementary orchestrator and shooter to pair alongside Young, like Tyrese Haliburton? A defensive wing who’s raw but offers a high ceiling, like Isaac Okoro? Do the Hawks make another trade with their lottery pick, as they have the past two drafts? On the free-agent front, Davis Bertans and Jerami Grant are believed to be top targets. Either veteran would bring new dimensions to the roster while, ironically, making Atlanta younger: last year the rotation included Vince Carter, who at 43 was as old as Young and Collins combined. Landing Bertans or Grant would signal expectations have changed.

The turnarounds of the Lakers, Nuggets, Heat and Celtics remind us anything is possible. It’s up to the Hawks, Bulls, Spurs and Pelicans to catch the wave before it crashes and leaves them lost at sea.

Offseason Needs: Southeast Division

Atlanta Hawks

2019-20 Record: 20-47 (5th, Southeast)

2020 NBA Draft Picks: 6, 50 (from Miami via Sacramento, Cleveland and Boston)

2020 Free Agents: Treveon Graham, Jeff Teague (unrestricted); DeAndre Bembry, Skal Labissiere, Damian Jones (restricted)

Area to address: Experienced wing contributor

With regard to the long-term future of the franchise, the most important item of business for the Hawks this offseason may be the contract of John Collins. Next season will be the last of his rookie deal, with Collins set to make a little more than $4.1 million. Should the two sides not come to an agreement on an extension ahead of the league’s deadline (this should be right before the start of the regular season), Collins would be a restricted free agent next offseason. He’s made it known that he wants to remain in Atlanta, and after posting averages of 21.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 steals, 1.6 blocks and 1.4 3-pointers per game in what was the best season of his NBA career to date an argument can be made that Collins deserves a new deal.

Assuming that this gets handled, the Hawks could use an experienced wing capable of helping Trae Young and company take the next step in their rebuild. Atlanta has some good young options, most notably Kevin Huerter and Cam Reddish, but adding a productive vet to the mix at a good price point would be a good idea. Last season the Hawks ranked among the worst teams in both offensive (26th) and defensive (27th) rating, despite ranking fifth in the NBA in pace. Adding a more experienced hand who can bring both sides of the 3-and-D skill set to the table would help this team out. Clint Capela getting back to full strength will help when it comes to protecting the paint, as he averaged 1.8 blocks per game last season with the Rockets.

Jamaaliver wrote:

Offseason Needs: Southeast Division

Atlanta Hawks

2019-20 Record: 20-47 (5th, Southeast)

2020 NBA Draft Picks: 6, 50 (from Miami via Sacramento, Cleveland and Boston)

2020 Free Agents: Treveon Graham, Jeff Teague (unrestricted); DeAndre Bembry, Skal Labissiere, Damian Jones (restricted)

Area to address: Experienced wing contributor

With regard to the long-term future of the franchise, the most important item of business for the Hawks this offseason may be the contract of John Collins. Next season will be the last of his rookie deal, with Collins set to make a little more than $4.1 million. Should the two sides not come to an agreement on an extension ahead of the league’s deadline (this should be right before the start of the regular season), Collins would be a restricted free agent next offseason. He’s made it known that he wants to remain in Atlanta, and after posting averages of 21.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 steals, 1.6 blocks and 1.4 3-pointers per game in what was the best season of his NBA career to date an argument can be made that Collins deserves a new deal.

Assuming that this gets handled, the Hawks could use an experienced wing capable of helping Trae Young and company take the next step in their rebuild. Atlanta has some good young options, most notably Kevin Huerter and Cam Reddish, but adding a productive vet to the mix at a good price point would be a good idea. Last season the Hawks ranked among the worst teams in both offensive (26th) and defensive (27th) rating, despite ranking fifth in the NBA in pace. Adding a more experienced hand who can bring both sides of the 3-and-D skill set to the table would help this team out. Clint Capela getting back to full strength will help when it comes to protecting the paint, as he averaged 1.8 blocks per game last season with the Rockets.

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