Hawks 2025 Offseason Thread

[Rebound Mound]

Goga Bitadze is my top trade target for the Hawks front court this summer. He's done well in the past when tasked as a starter for Orlando.

But the Magic seem ready to hand his minutes off the bench now to Jonathan Isaac.

I'm offering Niang for Bitadze immediately to shore up our lack of size in the paint.

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I do not see Bitadze as a defensive presence. I see him more like an intelligent player who can do a lot things on the court, but he is not athletic and just 6-10 (may be 6-11). He is not playing minutes once Wagner is out and Isaak is a really weak player.

But for Niang's expiring is like nothing, although that could prevent us from getting another big.

[CP War Hawks]

Bitzade is such a low bar to clear. Not to dump on the idea, he'll be good depth piece, but Orl isn't giving him up for scraps. They would want pick comp.

Kornet seems like the ideal choice given price range and similar impact.

[HMFFL]

I expect Mouhamed Gueye to be a key piece for us next season. We should see his impact in the summer league.

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[Jamaaliver]

Free Agent Targets for the Hawks this Offseason

Free agency won't begin until July, but the Atlanta Hawks have appealing flexibility ahead of the summer of 2025. Some of that includes the potential for trades, including a large trade exception created by the Dejounte Murray trade to New Orleans, but Atlanta also has the ability to add free agents from outside the organization.

The Hawks have approximately $142 million committed in guaranteed salary and, while that is below the salary cap line, the most practical way for Atlanta to add a significant player in free agency is through the mid-level exception. The mid-level is projected to be $14.1 million in 2025-26 which, of course, is a significant salary slot.

Notably, this does not preclude the Hawks from shedding additional salary via trade in order to create functional cap space. At the same time, that is harder to project, and there are plenty of attainable free agents through the use of the MLE, the minimum exception, and other mediums.

Steven Adams

Spoiler:

Adams is a top-tier backup center who is younger than you think. He's been in the league forever, but Adams is just 31. He's also an elite rebounder, a strong defender, and doesn't need the ball to be effective.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Spoiler:

The 26-year-old has found new life in Minnesota over the last two seasons, appearing in all 164 (!) games and providing rock-solid two-way play. Alexander-Walker has improved greatly as a perimeter shooter, and he can give you some ball-handling and strong defense. He also doesn't fit a glaring need for Atlanta, particularly on a team with Dyson Daniels, and might find more money elsewhere.

Malcolm Brogdon

Spoiler:

At age 32, Brogdon isn't the same player that he used to be, but he can still play. He averaged 12.7 points and 4.1 assists per game in limited action with the Wizards, and Brogdon has local ties to Atlanta. The Hawks could be in the market for a steady backup guard option, and Brogdon checks that box if needed.

Bruce Brown

Spoiler:

Brown parlayed a stellar 2022-23 season in Denver into a massive two-way deal that just ended. There is a salary correction coming for him, but Brown can defend, handle the ball, rebound, and provide some value as a small-ball option in certain groups. He is also a limited shooter, which could cap Atlanta's interest.

Dorian Finney-Smith

Spoiler:

Finney-Smith has been a vital piece for the Lakers, and he might simply return to Los Angeles. He's on the list because every team, including Atlanta, could use a 3-and-D player with his skill set and experience level.

Ty Jerome

Spoiler:

Jerome had an absolutely awesome 2024-25 season in Cleveland, averaging 12.5 points per game in a bench role with 52/44/87 shooting. His offensive contributions would be quite additive in Atlanta. The question would be how he could slot in defensively and whether the Cavs will let him get out the door.

Luke Kornet

Spoiler:

Kornet isn't perfect, but he's a 7'2 big that is a proven backup center. He shot 67 percent from the field this season in Boston, can protect the rim, and won't be terribly expensive if the Hawks want to go that route.

Jake LaRavia

Spoiler:

The Grizzlies declined LaRavia's fourth-year team option prior to the 2024-25 season, but he played well enough that the team's GM publicly declared that was a mistake. What it means is that he'll hit free agency as a 23-year-old forward who can dribble, pass, shoot, and defend enough. He's intriguing.

Caris LeVert

Spoiler:

The only internal option on this list is LeVert. Clint Capela and Larry Nance could also be included, but LeVert is at a different tier of potential impact at this stage. He played quite well in Atlanta after arriving in the De'Andre Hunter trade, and LeVert will have a strong market outside of the Hawks as a veteran perimeter player who can create shots and defend well enough.

Brook Lopez

Spoiler:

Lopez may not have been on this list a few weeks ago, but the potential for implosion in Milwaukee makes him theoretically available. He's on the older side, but Lopez can shoot threes and defend the rim. If the Hawks want to go a little bigger with their second center option, he'd be right there.

De'Anthony Melton

Spoiler:

Melton is coming off a torn ACL that forced him to miss most of the season, but he's always been a personal favorite. He can really, really defend and Melton is a 38 percent 3-point shooter over the last five years combined.

Monte Morris

Spoiler:

If the Hawks want to give Kobe Bufkin another prominent chance at the backup point guard role, acquiring Morris might be a strong middle ground. The veteran doesn't (ever) make mistakes, and he can play 12-18 minutes per game as a caretaker behind Trae Young. He also isn't so good that you have to play him, which might strike the right balance to keep Bufkin in the mix... if that's the goal.

Kelly Oubre Jr.

Spoiler:

Not a lot went well in Philadelphia this season, but Oubre wasn't the problem. He can be spacey on defense, but he's averaged more than 15 points per game in six straight NBA seasons. His skill set isn't a perfect fit, but if the price is right, it's not crazy.

Day'Ron Sharpe

Spoiler:

Sharpe is on track to be a restricted free agent, but he's an interesting bet as a backup center. In his age-23 season, Sharpe averaged 7.9 points and 6.6 rebounds per game with solid efficiency, intriguing passing, and enough overall juice. He isn't the sexiest option, but he's a real backup center in the NBA.

Gary Trent Jr.

Spoiler:

Trent Jr.'s defense never quite got to where people hoped, but he's a very useful player. He is a career 39.1 percent 3-point shooter on volume, he can hold up enough on the defensive end to not kill you, and Trent Jr. has the capability of scoring in bunches. The Hawks need shooting and he could provide it.

Fansided

[Geaux_Hawks]

If we could squeeze Steven Adams and DFS, we'd be pretty solid on the bench. The hope would be Kobe finally showing his worth, and Gueye continuing to grow. I'd be a happy camper if that's all we did in the off-season as it gives us the elite rebounder and size in Adams, and a strong wing off the bench in DFS.

[Rebound Mound]

Free Agent Targets for the Hawks this Offseason

Free agency won't begin until July, but the Atlanta Hawks have appealing flexibility ahead of the summer of 2025. Some of that includes the potential for trades, including a large trade exception created by the Dejounte Murray trade to New Orleans, but Atlanta also has the ability to add free agents from outside the organization.

The Hawks have approximately $142 million committed in guaranteed salary and, while that is below the salary cap line, the most practical way for Atlanta to add a significant player in free agency is through the mid-level exception. The mid-level is projected to be $14.1 million in 2025-26 which, of course, is a significant salary slot.

Notably, this does not preclude the Hawks from shedding additional salary via trade in order to create functional cap space. At the same time, that is harder to project, and there are plenty of attainable free agents through the use of the MLE, the minimum exception, and other mediums.

Steven Adams

Spoiler:

Adams is a top-tier backup center who is younger than you think. He's been in the league forever, but Adams is just 31. He's also an elite rebounder, a strong defender, and doesn't need the ball to be effective.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Spoiler:

The 26-year-old has found new life in Minnesota over the last two seasons, appearing in all 164 (!) games and providing rock-solid two-way play. Alexander-Walker has improved greatly as a perimeter shooter, and he can give you some ball-handling and strong defense. He also doesn't fit a glaring need for Atlanta, particularly on a team with Dyson Daniels, and might find more money elsewhere.

Malcolm Brogdon

Spoiler:

At age 32, Brogdon isn't the same player that he used to be, but he can still play. He averaged 12.7 points and 4.1 assists per game in limited action with the Wizards, and Brogdon has local ties to Atlanta. The Hawks could be in the market for a steady backup guard option, and Brogdon checks that box if needed.

Bruce Brown

Spoiler:

Brown parlayed a stellar 2022-23 season in Denver into a massive two-way deal that just ended. There is a salary correction coming for him, but Brown can defend, handle the ball, rebound, and provide some value as a small-ball option in certain groups. He is also a limited shooter, which could cap Atlanta's interest.

Dorian Finney-Smith

Spoiler:

Finney-Smith has been a vital piece for the Lakers, and he might simply return to Los Angeles. He's on the list because every team, including Atlanta, could use a 3-and-D player with his skill set and experience level.

Ty Jerome

Spoiler:

Jerome had an absolutely awesome 2024-25 season in Cleveland, averaging 12.5 points per game in a bench role with 52/44/87 shooting. His offensive contributions would be quite additive in Atlanta. The question would be how he could slot in defensively and whether the Cavs will let him get out the door.

Luke Kornet

Spoiler:

Kornet isn't perfect, but he's a 7'2 big that is a proven backup center. He shot 67 percent from the field this season in Boston, can protect the rim, and won't be terribly expensive if the Hawks want to go that route.

Jake LaRavia

Spoiler:

The Grizzlies declined LaRavia's fourth-year team option prior to the 2024-25 season, but he played well enough that the team's GM publicly declared that was a mistake. What it means is that he'll hit free agency as a 23-year-old forward who can dribble, pass, shoot, and defend enough. He's intriguing.

Caris LeVert

Spoiler:

The only internal option on this list is LeVert. Clint Capela and Larry Nance could also be included, but LeVert is at a different tier of potential impact at this stage. He played quite well in Atlanta after arriving in the De'Andre Hunter trade, and LeVert will have a strong market outside of the Hawks as a veteran perimeter player who can create shots and defend well enough.

Brook Lopez

Spoiler:

Lopez may not have been on this list a few weeks ago, but the potential for implosion in Milwaukee makes him theoretically available. He's on the older side, but Lopez can shoot threes and defend the rim. If the Hawks want to go a little bigger with their second center option, he'd be right there.

De'Anthony Melton

Spoiler:

Melton is coming off a torn ACL that forced him to miss most of the season, but he's always been a personal favorite. He can really, really defend and Melton is a 38 percent 3-point shooter over the last five years combined.

Monte Morris

Spoiler:

If the Hawks want to give Kobe Bufkin another prominent chance at the backup point guard role, acquiring Morris might be a strong middle ground. The veteran doesn't (ever) make mistakes, and he can play 12-18 minutes per game as a caretaker behind Trae Young. He also isn't so good that you have to play him, which might strike the right balance to keep Bufkin in the mix... if that's the goal.

Kelly Oubre Jr.

Spoiler:

Not a lot went well in Philadelphia this season, but Oubre wasn't the problem. He can be spacey on defense, but he's averaged more than 15 points per game in six straight NBA seasons. His skill set isn't a perfect fit, but if the price is right, it's not crazy.

Day'Ron Sharpe

Spoiler:

Sharpe is on track to be a restricted free agent, but he's an interesting bet as a backup center. In his age-23 season, Sharpe averaged 7.9 points and 6.6 rebounds per game with solid efficiency, intriguing passing, and enough overall juice. He isn't the sexiest option, but he's a real backup center in the NBA.

Gary Trent Jr.

Spoiler:

Trent Jr.'s defense never quite got to where people hoped, but he's a very useful player. He is a career 39.1 percent 3-point shooter on volume, he can hold up enough on the defensive end to not kill you, and Trent Jr. has the capability of scoring in bunches. The Hawks need shooting and he could provide it.

Fansided

That is a good list of interesting players.
I love Steve Adams. He is not technical, cannot shoot, but is still in shape, strong as a rhino and can teach the youngsters to take care of their bodies.
Houston would love to have him back, I guess, but they signed Landale for quite big money last year, so they have 3 centres.

The getting back LeVert is a must for us.

If not Adams, Kornet could be a nice addition. He is going to have a list of pretenders, as Boston will be unable to keep him as they face financial pressure to create a roster that is financially possible. Probably Kornet should be a better fit in today's basketball, as he can shoot, so going from OO to Kornet wouldn't be such a drastic change.

I miss some PF with a big body to make up for JJ when he is on the bench. Also he should play some time at the SF spot. Maybe Yabusele could be a possibility.

I would like to see Westbrook here.

But I think that other than one or two veterans, our improvement has to come from the improvement in OO, Gueye and JJ's games, and also by the fact of the team playing together for a few years. That is basic.

[HMFFL]

In the Houston/Golden State series Houston is +53 with Steven Adams on the flooor and -39 when Adams is off the floor.

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[dms269]

My offseason wish list:
-Shooters who can consistently hit the 3 and aren't awful on defense.
-A big boy
-An enforcer. An Ivan Johnson/Zaza type who isn't afraid to hard foul and do the dirty work.

[Jamaaliver]

^In that same vein, I'd love a player with size who can consistently create offense for himself in the halfcourt.
Ideally they'd finish strong at the rim, drawing fouls in the process...but I'd also accept an elite mid-range assassin.

Two players most fitting these criteria that are actually attainable:

Zach Lavine
Lauri Markkanen

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

[HMFFL]

My offseason wish list:
-Shooters who can consistently hit the 3 and aren't awful on defense.
-A big boy
-An enforcer. An Ivan Johnson/Zaza type who isn't afraid to hard foul and do the dirty work.

Luke Kennard is a free agent.

Julius Randle and Naz Reid have player options. T Wolves already have a top 3 payroll in the league so I doubt they keep both.

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[HMFFL]

^In that same vein, I'd love a player with size who can consistently create offense for himself in the halfcourt.
Ideally they'd finish strong at the rim, drawing fouls in the process...but I'd also accept an elite mid-range assassin.

Two players most fitting these criteria that are actually attainable:

Zach Lavine
Lauri Markkanen

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

Zach Lavine has forever been meh to me. He has one season above .500 in 11 years. Keep in mind he doesn't play defense but he did have a career yesr on offense. I doubt the Kings move him.

Lauri Markkanen depending on what he cost. I dislike how the Jazz are handling his situation and just tanked. NBA ignored their tanking. Let's see if it works out for them. I would trade our Kings first round pick for him. But, how much more is he going to cost?

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[Jamaaliver]

Zach Lavine has forever been meh to me. He has one season above .500 in 11 years. Keep in mind he doesn't play defense but he did have a career year on offense. I doubt the Kings move him.

Lavine is indeed a flawed player.

A team featuring him as a #1 or #2 option seems unlikely to contend.

But...if you can run him off the bench as the 4th option, he provides a ton of value as a microwave scorer who can space the floor, finish at the rim and even run point at various points of the game.

Read on Twitter

[HMFFL]

Zach Lavine has forever been meh to me. He has one season above .500 in 11 years. Keep in mind he doesn't play defense but he did have a career year on offense. I doubt the Kings move him.

Lavine is indeed a flawed player.

A team featuring him as a #1 or #2 option seems unlikely to contend.

But...if you can run him off the bench as the 4th option, he provides a ton of value as a microwave scorer who can space the floor, finish at the rim and even run point at various points of the game.

Read on Twitter

I agree.
I doubt coming off the bench interest him. He seems to only be getting better.

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[Jamaaliver]

Steven Adamas was a really underrated acquisition for Houston a while back.

I believe Goga Bitadze could also have a similar effect for Atlanta...

[Jamaaliver]

I'm on the fence about trading Trae, but if we go that route...Houston Rockets seem like an ideal trade partner.


Rockets have a serious need for an offensive engine plus they are stocked with young players and draft picks.


I'd start by demanding Jabari Smith, Jr., Reed Sheppard, Cam Whitmore.
Jalen Green and Fred Van Vleet would likely need to be included for salary matching.
Then I'd just take a bunch of draft picks for future use.

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[Jamaaliver]

Free Agents this Summer:
Part 1

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

[Jamaaliver]

Part 2

[Jamaaliver]

Part 3

[Rebound Mound]

It could be that the effect of having Adams on the court is different that what we thought. It could be that playing with two bigs is better for the Rockets. Or that Thompson is a better fit as a SF, or that Sengun is better as a PF...

[Rebound Mound]

I was thinking about players who could really help us out in the C position, as we need size, and someone who played for us a while ago, Walter Tavares, could be a really nice addition.
He has played already 5.5 seasons with Real Madrid and his contract ends now, but I am not sure whether he renewed it or not.
Tavares has been injury free for years, except a short period last season, as producing good numbers, while affecting the game enormously.