Could this be true?

Sultanofatl · Post #1 » by **Sultanofatl** » Fri Mar 1, 2019 9:10 pm

Rookie of the Year
Mind-made-up meter: 9

Candidates still under consideration: Luka Doncic (Dallas), Trae Young (Atlanta)

Analysis: Yes, this race is unofficially over. Doncic (20.9, 7.2 rebounds, 5.7 assists) has been everything the Mavs hoped for, and now he’s on track to join Robertson as the only other rookie to reach the 20-7-5 marks.But again, there is still roughly a quarter of the schedule left to play and Young – who had 36 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds in a win against Minnesota on Wednesday – has been on a major upswing for quite some time now after his rough early start. At this rate, he’s set to join Robertson, Magic Johnson, Damon Stoudamire, Allen Iverson and Isiaah Thomas as the only rookies to average 17 points and seven assists.

Consider these lines from Dec. 1 on…

Young: 20.8 points (42.7% overall, 38.7 from three-point range), 8.2 assists, four rebounds, 3.7 turnovers

Doncic: 23.1 points (43.1%, 32.8%), 6.7 assists, 8.6 rebounds, 3.3 turnovers

The gap between them has been shrinking, in other words, even if it’s far too big for Young to bridge all the way. If nothing else, the Hawks rookie looking more and more like a legitimate franchise cornerstone means the optics on that controversial Doncic-Young draft day trade look far better these days. To review, the Hawks sent the third pick to Dallas (Doncic) in exchange for the No. 5 (Young) and a 2019 first-rounder (top-five protected).

Yet for Atlanta’s purposes, Young’s progression has been positive enough to inspire a rethinking about this coming summer in which they’ll have approximately $41 million in salary cap space. According to a source with knowledge of their thinking, the Hawks are so bullish on the development of Young, fellow rookie Kevin Huerter and second-year big man John Collins that they want to explore even the biggest and boldest of offseason plans.

Translation: They’re planning to pursue meetings with the best-of-the-best in free agency when July 1 rolls around. It’s a half-court shot of sorts, to be sure, but they’d love nothing more than to fire that pitch to everyone from Kevin Durant on down. Talk about the young core and where they believe they’re heading under coach Lloyd Pierce, the arena that received $192.5 million in renovations that have drawn rave reviews, and the fancy new practice facility too. Even if (insert free agent’s name here) doesn’t come, it’s the kind of courting that sends a league-wide message that your program should be taken seriously.

IheartTHEhurt · Post #2 » by **IheartTHEhurt** » Fri Mar 1, 2019 9:21 pm

Cousins or Leonard they should pursue.. I would question them if they didn't. Durant is gonna stay in a Warriors uniform or go to New York for his brand.. I don't think anyone else has a shot at Kevin.

CP War Hawks · Post #3 » by **CP War Hawks** » Fri Mar 1, 2019 10:57 pm

I've seen Trae buddying up with Vucevic after a game. I mean it's alot of FAs this summer, and it' could be more wild as the trade deadline.

I think the draft has some blockbuster moments waiting for us.

hawkmanreturns · Post #4 » by **hawkmanreturns** » Fri Mar 1, 2019 11:21 pm

I still think it may be a bit early to pursue top tier free agents, but if Schlenk feels it's time, I trust his judgment. I just don't think we're there yet as far as attracting free agents. Maybe summer of 2020?

Spud2nique · Post #5 » by **Spud2nique** » Fri Mar 1, 2019 11:38 pm

hawkmanreturns wrote:I still think it may be a bit early to pursue top tier free agents, but if Schlenk feels it's time, I trust his judgment. I just don't think we're there yet as far as attracting free agents. Maybe summer of 2020?

Yup..2020 we make playoffs and knock someone out in round 1 in a 2/7 3/6 playoff seeding and attract every free agent in summer 2020.

:nod:

Post #6 » by **HMFFL** » Sat Mar 2, 2019 12:01 am

Dallas will pursue Nikola Vučević this off season. They already asked Orlando what they wanted for him before then trade deadline.

CP War Hawks wrote:I've seen Trae buddying up with Vucevic after a game. I mean it's alot of FAs this summer, and it' could be more wild as the trade deadline.

I think the draft has some blockbuster moments waiting for us.

Sent from my SM-N920P using RealGM mobile app

Post #7 » by **Jamaaliver** » Sat Mar 2, 2019 12:54 am

Sultanofatl wrote:
Translation: They’re planning to pursue meetings with the best-of-the-best in free agency when July 1 rolls around. It’s a half-court shot of sorts, to be sure, but they’d love nothing more than to fire that pitch to everyone from Kevin Durant on down. Talk about the young core and where they believe they’re heading under coach Lloyd Pierce, the arena that received $192.5 million in renovations that have drawn rave reviews, and the fancy new practice facility too. Even if (insert free agent’s name here) doesn’t come, it’s the kind of courting that sends a league-wide message that your program should be taken seriously[/b].

Where is this from
Who wrote this?
Do you have a link?

Yungsta404 · Post #8 » by **Yungsta404** » Sat Mar 2, 2019 1:07 am

why are we rushing to compete already? why not wait another year to get more young talent?
If we overpay for a 2nd tier free agent, we will just end up being mediocre again and completely wasted a potentially great rebuild.

marco102 · Post #9 » by **marco102** » Sat Mar 2, 2019 1:08 am

Jamaaliver wrote:
Sultanofatl wrote:
Translation: They’re planning to pursue meetings with the best-of-the-best in free agency when July 1 rolls around. It’s a half-court shot of sorts, to be sure, but they’d love nothing more than to fire that pitch to everyone from Kevin Durant on down. Talk about the young core and where they believe they’re heading under coach Lloyd Pierce, the arena that received $192.5 million in renovations that have drawn rave reviews, and the fancy new practice facility too. Even if (insert free agent’s name here) doesn’t come, it’s the kind of courting that sends a league-wide message that your program should be taken seriously[/b].

Where is this from
Who wrote this?
Do you have a link?

It's from the Athetic.

jayu70 · Post #10 » by **jayu70** » Sat Mar 2, 2019 1:15 am

Yungsta404 wrote:why are we rushing to compete already? why not wait another year to get more young talent?
If we overpay for a 2nd tier free agent, we will just end up being mediocre again and completely wasted a potentially great rebuild.

My worst fear.

High 5 · Post #11 » by **High 5** » Sat Mar 2, 2019 1:24 am

Yungsta404 wrote:why are we rushing to compete already? why not wait another year to get more young talent?
If we overpay for a 2nd tier free agent, we will just end up being mediocre again and completely wasted a potentially great rebuild.

We have 6 recent 1st round selections on the team and the odds say we'll add 2 more top 10 picks in a few months. We don't need more young talent. I agree we shouldn't overpay a 2nd tier FA, but the rumor said "best of the best." It almost certainly won't happen, but I think it's worth a shot.

saloonyk8 · Post #12 » by **saloonyk8** » Sat Mar 2, 2019 2:59 pm

High 5 wrote:
Yungsta404 wrote:why are we rushing to compete already? why not wait another year to get more young talent?
If we overpay for a 2nd tier free agent, we will just end up being mediocre again and completely wasted a potentially great rebuild.

We have 6 recent 1st round selections on the team and the odds say we'll add 2 more top 10 picks in a few months. We don't need more young talent. I agree we shouldn't overpay a 2nd tier FA, but the rumor said "best of the best." It almost certainly won't happen, but I think it's worth a shot.

We have one and at most two All stars on the roster, both of which play zero defense. We need to hit a home run inn the draft.

King Ken · Post #13 » by **King Ken** » Sat Mar 2, 2019 3:27 pm

I want Leonard or Durant to play with Trae, Kevin and John.

benhillboy · Post #14 » by **benhillboy** » Sat Mar 2, 2019 5:51 pm

We should finally be open to all tiers of FAs. You’d have to be a complete jacka$$ if you don’t heavily consider playing with Trae. All positions, even other PGs.

EazyRoc · Post #15 » by **EazyRoc** » Sat Mar 2, 2019 6:48 pm

Swing for the fences. Even if the fences are 600 ft away lol. Cousins, Leonard, or Durant could turn this franchise into an overnight contender.

IheartTHEhurt · Post #16 » by **IheartTHEhurt** » Sat Mar 2, 2019 7:16 pm

HMFFL wrote:Dallas will pursue Nikola Vučević this off season. They already asked Orlando what they wanted for him before then trade deadline.
CP War Hawks wrote:I've seen Trae buddying up with Vucevic after a game. I mean it's alot of FAs this summer, and it' could be more wild as the trade deadline.

I think the draft has some blockbuster moments waiting for us.

Sent from my SM-N920P using RealGM mobile app

Vucevic would be a great pickup as well. What is it with Cuban wanting to hoard all the good white talent out there. Is he trying to make a statement or something? Just watch your balling white boys cause Cuban is on the prowl looking to steal his next ring.

observer1995 · Post #17 » by **observer1995** » Sat Mar 2, 2019 7:29 pm

2020 NBA free agency is kind of booty so if they really think the team is going to be ready to compete within the next two seasons, the moves are probably going to have to happen in 2019. Otherwise your best guy in '20 that is unrestricted is Draymond Green (would be a good pickup but...still).

Of course that doesn't mean overpay for a guy like Khris Middleton, but it does mean make a good move or two if it makes "sense".

If you think it's a 21/22 deal, that changes everything, but I honestly don't think so.

REHawksFan · Post #18 » by **REHawksFan** » Sat Mar 2, 2019 7:30 pm

Wouldn't mind making a run at Tobias Harris on the wing as a 2nd tier guy. Wouldn't overpay for him but I like his game. Thomas Bryant is also intriguing.

atlantabbq99 · Post #19 » by **atlantabbq99** » Sat Mar 2, 2019 7:35 pm

If the Hawks end up getting Zion, then I can see AD, Kawhi, or Durant maybe thinking about considering ATL or at least put the Hawks on a short list.

Nathan2331 · Post #20 » by **Nathan2331** » Sat Mar 2, 2019 10:46 pm

I'm telling y'all, we present the best opportunity for Durant and Davis to team up and contend for the next 5 years. Lakers are trash and would lose assets trading for Davis. Same thing for the Celtics. The Knicks are a worse destination for Durant than we are. The Clippers have cap space and little else. We've got enough money to give Durant and Davis max deals and still retain the rest of our players. In two years we could look like:

Young/Vet
Huerter/Lotto pick/Bembry
Durant/Prince or lotto pick
Collins/Spellman
Davis/Dedmon or Len (or both)

That's a better team than any other potential suitor could propose.