Hawks 2025 Offseason Thread

[Rebound Mound]

I believe we are the team that grew the most in theory during this offseason, so far...
Adding a player like Porzingis in exchange for literally nothing (excuses to Mann and Niang) and adding a PF with no pressure to contribute from the beginning is exciting. If we can get Alexander-Walker, then it will be great.

Trae
Daniels
Risacher
Johnson
OO
--------------------
XXX
LeVert
Krejci
Newell/Gueye
Porzingis
-------------------
Nance

[jayu70]

Where we stand post draft:
11 Players with a contract (*partial guarantee/non guaranteed/TO):

Trae Young $45.9
Kristaps Pirzingas $30.7
Jalen Johnson $30
Onyeka Okongwu $15
Zaccharie Risacher $13.1
Dyson Daniels $7.7
Kobe Bufkin $4.5
Asa Newell $2.6
*Vit Krecji $2.3
*Mohammed Gueye $2.2
*Dominick Barlow $ 2.2

PG - Trae, Kobe
SG - DD, Vit
SF - Zacc
PF - JJ, MoG, Asa
C - OO, KP, Barlow

TOTAL $156.6 mil
~$30.6 mil under the LT to spend

Any idea on what NAW would cost us? Would have to think he will now be priority #1 so we can get the most out of our TPE. After that, re-sign Levert and Nance.

I'm seeing anywhere from $14 to $25 .....I'm hoping it's something like 3/$36 -$40 range. That's half the money under the tax, with half left for Levert, Nance and I still think we need a vet backup PG.

[Geaux_Hawks]

Where we stand post draft:
11 Players with a contract (*partial guarantee/non guaranteed/TO):

Trae Young $45.9
Kristaps Pirzingas $30.7
Jalen Johnson $30
Onyeka Okongwu $15
Zaccharie Risacher $13.1
Dyson Daniels $7.7
Kobe Bufkin $4.5
Asa Newell $2.6
*Vit Krecji $2.3
*Mohammed Gueye $2.2
*Dominick Barlow $ 2.2

PG - Trae, Kobe
SG - DD, Vit
SF - Zacc
PF - JJ, MoG, Asa
C - OO, KP, Barlow

TOTAL $156.6 mil
~$30.6 mil under the LT to spend

Any idea on what NAW would cost us? Would have to think he will now be priority #1 so we can get the most out of our TPE. After that, re-sign Levert and Nance.

I'm seeing anywhere from $14 to $25 .....I'm hoping it's something like 3/$36 -$40 range. That's half the money under the tax, with half left for Levert, Nance and I still think we need a vet backup PG.

I'm tempted to say just find another cheap wing, and let Kobe handle backup PG duties. If he fails, you still got Vit/Dys combo to make it work.

[jayu70]

Any idea on what NAW would cost us? Would have to think he will now be priority #1 so we can get the most out of our TPE. After that, re-sign Levert and Nance.

I'm seeing anywhere from $14 to $25 .....I'm hoping it's something like 3/$36 -$40 range. That's half the money under the tax, with half left for Levert, Nance and I still think we need a vet backup PG.

I'm tempted to say just find another cheap wing, and let Kobe handle backup PG duties. If he fails, you still got Vit/Dys combo to make it work.

We've seen how much we struggle when Trae sits, I would be uncomfortable relying on Kobe going into yet another season.

[Rebound Mound]

I am not sure whether we need a second PG or not.
Levert and Krejci can carry that duty, IMO.
They are not classic PGs and are less standarized if you expect a more planned style of play. But when we need to run, be quick on transitions and defend with superiority in athletics terms, I believe we can have enough ball handlers with them and then with an expanded role on that part of the game by JJ, Risacher or even OO and Porzingis.

[Jamaaliver]

Kobe Bufkin...isn't a PG.

Neither is NAW.

Hawks need a veteran PG off the bench a la TJ McConnell.

[jayu70]

Kobe Bufkin...isn't a PG.

Neither is NAW.

Hawks need a veteran PG off the bench a la TJ McConnell.

Thank you!
It's like we keep sweeping our offensive struggles under the rug when Trae sits...it'll be repeating the same mistake over and over.

[Jamaaliver]

Shams...isn't good on TV just yet.

But he's right on this aspect:

Read on Twitter

[Geaux_Hawks]

Kobe Bufkin...isn't a PG.

Neither is NAW.

Hawks need a veteran PG off the bench a la TJ McConnell.

Thank you!
It's like we keep sweeping our offensive struggles under the rug when Trae sits...it'll be repeating the same mistake over and over.

Our lack of offense when Trae sits has more to do with lack of self creation from others not named Jalen Johnson and poor shooting in general. This is evident in the sheer amount of quality looks we had vs actually converting those looks into points.

That's something Kobe has the ability to do, as well as NAW. KP also can create for himself. A traditional PG isn't going to magically fill in those holes.

Sure a traditional PG can produce a few easier buckets for others, but that guy isn't giving you McConnell level production as a backup unless he can also create for himself, which was TJ can do. In fact, we were 2nd in assists in large part because Quin's offense naturally creates the easy looks. Again, the struggles came when guys couldn't knock down the shots. When that's happening, you need somebody that can get you some buckets outside of the offense. We were to inconsistent in doing that last year.

[Rebound Mound]

Still not clear if we need another handler... for sure we do not need a second PG who is also a weak defender. McConell, Ty Jerome and the likes are really good on offense, but they lack defense.
I understand we are not trying to get them, as they under contract (well, Jerome is not, but he is going to have a good offer because of Garland's injury), opposed to what the Cavs planned to do...

[Jamaaliver]

Our lack of offense when Trae sits has more to do with lack of self creation from others not named Jalen Johnson and poor shooting in general. This is evident in the sheer amount of quality looks we had vs actually converting those looks into points.

That's something Kobe has the ability to do, as well as NAW. KP also can create for himself. A traditional PG isn't going to magically fill in those holes.

Sure a traditional PG can produce a few easier buckets for others, but that guy isn't giving you McConnell level production as a backup unless he can also create for himself, which was TJ can do. In fact, we were 2nd in assists in large part because Quin's offense naturally creates the easy looks. Again, the struggles came when guys couldn't knock down the shots. When that's happening, you need somebody that can get you some buckets outside of the offense. We were to inconsistent in doing that last year.

This is all correct.

Hawks have long needed players with more self creation juice.



Hard Truth: Even Trae and Jalen aren't exactly great self creators in the half court.
Jalen has no post game, no mid range jumper and isn't much of a threat from deep.
Trae can't finish and his floater has regressed...badly.

[Geaux_Hawks]

Our lack of offense when Trae sits has more to do with lack of self creation from others not named Jalen Johnson and poor shooting in general. This is evident in the sheer amount of quality looks we had vs actually converting those looks into points.

That's something Kobe has the ability to do, as well as NAW. KP also can create for himself. A traditional PG isn't going to magically fill in those holes.

Sure a traditional PG can produce a few easier buckets for others, but that guy isn't giving you McConnell level production as a backup unless he can also create for himself, which was TJ can do. In fact, we were 2nd in assists in large part because Quin's offense naturally creates the easy looks. Again, the struggles came when guys couldn't knock down the shots. When that's happening, you need somebody that can get you some buckets outside of the offense. We were to inconsistent in doing that last year.

This is all correct.

Hawks have long needed players with more self creation juice.



Hard Truth: Even Trae and Jalen aren't exactly great self creators in the half court.
Jalen has no post game, no mid range jumper and isn't much of a threat from deep.
Trae can't finish and his floater has regressed...badly.

Yep. We've relied on Trae getting the easy buckets for others so much over the years, and really ignored finding enough guys who can create shots themselves. I will say that I feel more confident that JJ will get better, and so will Dys. Trae just needs to figure his floater out.

If we can get NAW and have a healthy Kobe for once, we'll be fine. Last year, backup PG was a glaring need because Kobe was supposed to be that guy for us. NAW would be the insurance in case Kobe was to go down. This is why I say bring Levert back and find another wing instead of a PG.