Travis Schlenk trying to build Hawks in Warrior’s image (aka 2018 offseason thread)

Post #121 » by **Jamaaliver** » Tue Jun 12, 2018 11:51 am

What Every East Team Needs This Summer

Let the offseason begin! Here’s what should be at the top of the list for every team in the Eastern Conference.

Atlanta Hawks

Biggest need: Frontcourt defense

After Atlanta let Paul Millsap walk last summer, it was destined for one of those “What are we doing here?” seasons. It was indeed that bad, as the Hawks finished 24-58. But their young players, specifically rookie John Collins and 24-year-old forward Taurean Prince, showed enough potential for the season to be worthwhile. Prince, Collins, and Dennis Schroder (also 24) are under contract for a combined $20 million next season, and Atlanta’s future flexibility doesn’t stop there. The front office owns four picks in the top 35 of the 2018 draft, including third overall. Pairing Collins with a prospect like Michigan State’s Jaren Jackson Jr. with the third pick would establish a young, up-and-coming frontcourt. Jackson, a highly regarded shot blocker, addresses some of the issues Atlanta’s 21st-ranked defense had with rim protection last season. (Collins led the team in blocks, with 1.1 per game.)

Friendly suggestion: Draft Jaren Jackson Jr.

The Ringer

macd-gm · Post #122 » by **macd-gm** » Tue Jun 12, 2018 1:10 pm

Jamaaliver wrote:
What Every East Team Needs This Summer

Let the offseason begin! Here’s what should be at the top of the list for every team in the Eastern Conference.

Atlanta Hawks

Biggest need: Frontcourt defense

After Atlanta let Paul Millsap walk last summer, it was destined for one of those “What are we doing here?” seasons. It was indeed that bad, as the Hawks finished 24-58. But their young players, specifically rookie John Collins and 24-year-old forward Taurean Prince, showed enough potential for the season to be worthwhile. Prince, Collins, and Dennis Schroder (also 24) are under contract for a combined $20 million next season, and Atlanta’s future flexibility doesn’t stop there. The front office owns four picks in the top 35 of the 2018 draft, including third overall. Pairing Collins with a prospect like Michigan State’s Jaren Jackson Jr. with the third pick would establish a young, up-and-coming frontcourt. Jackson, a highly regarded shot blocker, addresses some of the issues Atlanta’s 21st-ranked defense had with rim protection last season. (Collins led the team in blocks, with 1.1 per game.)

Friendly suggestion: Draft Jaren Jackson Jr.
The Ringer

I didn't tank the whole season to acquire some "Frontcourt defense". Who knows if we'll get this high a pick in the next decade. We better bring back someone who can flat out score.

jayu70 · Post #123 » by **jayu70** » Tue Jun 12, 2018 4:31 pm

macd-gm wrote:
Jamaaliver wrote:
What Every East Team Needs This Summer

Let the offseason begin! Here’s what should be at the top of the list for every team in the Eastern Conference.

Atlanta Hawks

Biggest need: Frontcourt defense

After Atlanta let Paul Millsap walk last summer, it was destined for one of those “What are we doing here?” seasons. It was indeed that bad, as the Hawks finished 24-58. But their young players, specifically rookie John Collins and 24-year-old forward Taurean Prince, showed enough potential for the season to be worthwhile. Prince, Collins, and Dennis Schroder (also 24) are under contract for a combined $20 million next season, and Atlanta’s future flexibility doesn’t stop there. The front office owns four picks in the top 35 of the 2018 draft, including third overall. Pairing Collins with a prospect like Michigan State’s Jaren Jackson Jr. with the third pick would establish a young, up-and-coming frontcourt. Jackson, a highly regarded shot blocker, addresses some of the issues Atlanta’s 21st-ranked defense had with rim protection last season. (Collins led the team in blocks, with 1.1 per game.)

Friendly suggestion: Draft Jaren Jackson Jr.
The Ringer

I didn't tank the whole season to acquire some "Frontcourt defense". Who knows if we'll get this high a pick in the next decade. We better bring back someone who can flat out score.

Our biggest need is a #1 option.

Post #124 » by **Jamaaliver** » Wed Jun 13, 2018 12:36 pm

I have to admit, this has crossed my mind and the idea is growing on me:

Hawks could build Warriors-lite by selecting Trae Young, Kevin Huerter

The Atlanta Hawks have three picks in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft. They can reshape the identity of the team with good selections.

Jeremy Woo reported that the Hawks covet sharpshooter Trae Young [from this year's draft.] His marketability, name-recognition overall potential would bring a sense of relief to the franchise. And it’s no secret that Young has received comparisons to Curry after one of the most impressive shooting seasons in the history of collegiate basketball.

Young, however, is not the only player who is getting juxtaposed to one of the reigning champions. Kevin Huerter, who opted to stay in the draft after just one season at Maryland, is often mentioned in the same breath as Golden State 3-and-D star Klay Thompson. Huerter averaged 14.8 points with 2.3 three-pointers per game and looked very sharp in the combine scrimmages. He had the second-best effective field goal percentage in his conference last season.

...many around the league believe that Huerter has received a “promise” by one of the teams with a pick in the first round.

Young will work out with the Hawks on Tuesday and they’ll reportedly be one of four teams he will meet with before the draft. Huerter, as mentioned by Vecenie, had a draft work out with the franchise last month.

Lloyd Pierce, now the head coach for Atlanta, was an assistant for Golden State during the 2010-11 season. He worked directly with Curry when the two-time MVP was in his second year in the league. If he sees a bit of Curry in Young, that would surely excite him to no end.

Hoopshype

Spoiler:

kg01 · Post #125 » by **kg01** » Wed Jun 13, 2018 12:39 pm

Jamaaliver wrote:I have to admit, this has crossed my mind and the idea is growing on me:

Read on Twitter

Oh my good gracious I need @spud's take on this pic of Curry's hair "style". Something tells me it'll skate the lines of appropriateness and @jamall's sensibilities will be offended.

Post #126 » by **Jamaaliver** » Wed Jun 13, 2018 12:42 pm

If Lloyd and Travis think they can pull this off and get anywhere near the production/success of the original duo...I say go for it:

Sam Vecenie projected Huerter would be selected by the Hawks in his latest mock draft (via The Athletic):

“There has been speculation that he received a promise somewhere in that range, with multiple teams being rumored to have done it … Heurter had a strong workout with the Hawks, and general manager Travis Schlenk — who comes from Golden State — possibly sees the outline of a Klay Thompson clone in Huerter.”

Jeremy Woo reported that the Hawks covet the sharpshooter (via Sports Illustrated):

“Atlanta could also look to flip 19 and 30 or 34 for a better selection. There’s also a sense they might consider offers to move down from No. 3, and are known to have interest in Trae Young in that scenario.”

jayu70 · Post #127 » by **jayu70** » Wed Jun 13, 2018 12:47 pm

kg01 wrote:
Jamaaliver wrote:I have to admit, this has crossed my mind and the idea is growing on me:

Read on Twitter

Oh my good gracious I need @spud's take on this pic of Curry's hair "style". Something tells me it'll skate the lines of appropriateness and @jamall's sensibilities will be offended.

Can Hueter defend like Klay? Or are they just talking offensively?
That's always the overlooked part of Klay's game. He's had to guard PGs when Curry couldn't, can Hueter do that for Trae

Post #128 » by **Jamaaliver** » Wed Jun 13, 2018 1:05 pm

jayu70 wrote:Can Hueter defend like Klay? Or are they just talking offensively?
That's always the overlooked part of Klay's game. He's had to guard PGs when Curry couldn't, can Hueter do that for Trae

Code: Select all

+Lateral quickness at 6-foot-6 with ability to wall off the lane to prevent his man from getting past him. Frequently guarded 1s and 2s and was able to stay in front of quicker players.

+Not quite elite in terms of off-ball reactions on defense but does a good job of getting into position ahead of time and rotating down in help.

+Sometimes gets a bit lazy on defense, can go under screens against high-level shooters or lose track of his man off the ball. 

...the fact that he has flashed the ability to defend across the perimeter with his quick feet and solid size for a 2-guard, and Huerter looks like a really appealing prospect. The value he adds as an off-dribble creator and quick-footed defender really makes him stand out among a crowded group of wings in the 2018 draft.

The Stepien

He's only a freshman, but he projects as a solid to above average defender thanks to size and lateral quickness.

He has a less than stellar wingspan, though, IMO....that is a massively overrated stat.

kg01 · Post #129 » by **kg01** » Wed Jun 13, 2018 1:06 pm

jayu70 wrote:
kg01 wrote:
Jamaaliver wrote:I have to admit, this has crossed my mind and the idea is growing on me:

Read on Twitter

Oh my good gracious I need @spud's take on this pic of Curry's hair "style". Something tells me it'll skate the lines of appropriateness and @jamall's sensibilities will be offended.

Can Hueter defend like Klay? Or are they just talking offensively?
That's always the overlooked part of Klay's game. He's had to guard PGs when Curry couldn't, can Hueter do that for Trae

Prolly not ... but I know a guy in that range who can .... his name rhymes with Josh Okogie.

Spud2nique · Post #130 » by **Spud2nique** » Wed Jun 13, 2018 2:26 pm

kg01 wrote:
Jamaaliver wrote:I have to admit, this has crossed my mind and the idea is growing on me:

Read on Twitter

Oh my good gracious I need @spud's take on this pic of Curry's hair "style". Something tells me it'll skate the lines of appropriateness and @jamall's sensibilities will be offended.

Ya no comment here...it’s Ayesha’s mess to clean...and if I say more I’m a racist I guess..

Spud2nique · Post #131 » by **Spud2nique** » Wed Jun 13, 2018 2:28 pm

Jamaaliver wrote:If Lloyd and Travis think they can pull this off and get anywhere near the production/success of the original duo...I say go for it:

Sam Vecenie projected Huerter would be selected by the Hawks in his latest mock draft (via The Athletic):

“There has been speculation that he received a promise somewhere in that range, with multiple teams being rumored to have done it … Heurter had a strong workout with the Hawks, and general manager Travis Schlenk — who comes from Golden State — possibly sees the outline of a Klay Thompson clone in Huerter.”

Jeremy Woo reported that the Hawks covet the sharpshooter (via Sports Illustrated):

“Atlanta could also look to flip 19 and 30 or 34 for a better selection. There’s also a sense they might consider offers to move down from No. 3, and are known to have interest in Trae Young in that scenario.”

Ummmm...no...Huerter is not Klay...Trae is more Nash than Curry..

Spud2nique · Post #132 » by **Spud2nique** » Wed Jun 13, 2018 2:28 pm

Mainly cuz Klay’s a Lil B

Spud2nique · Post #133 » by **Spud2nique** » Wed Jun 13, 2018 4:46 pm

F*ck the Golden State model they copied the spurs.

Post #134 » by **Jamaaliver** » Wed Jun 13, 2018 6:01 pm

Well...that idea might be out the window:

Read on Twitter

The 6-7 guard out of Maryland is No. 21 in Reid Forgrave's NBA Draft prospect rankings

The two-month timetable for the injury would put Huerter back on the court well in advance of training camp, but we've seen injury concerns cause players' draft stock to plummet in years past. It will be interesting to see if the injury to his shooting hand causes Huerter to be drafted lower than he should be.