Obnoxiously early 2019 Offseason Thread

[jayu70]

Can I officially remove Cousins from my wishlist? He's a liability in multiple ways.

He was never on my list.

[Radioblacktive1]

The idea of Klay Thompson signing with us in stuck in my head and I wanna get it out before I end up deeply disappointed.

[hawks_fan25]

I'm beginning to think that best case scenario is signing Klay and resigning Dedmon to a team-friendly 2 or 3 year contract. We'd definitely be a playoff team in the east and the rotation would look pretty good. I'd even give Jaylen and BJ roster spot opportunities because both can bomb the three and both have looked like hustling defenders in their small amount of time on the court.

Starters: Trae, Huerter, Klay, Collins, Dedmon
Rotation: Jaylen, Prince, Baze, Bembry, Omari, Len, FRP, FRP, BJ
Ride the Pine: Plumlee

I think Collins could average 25pts/gm in that lineup because no one on defense could sink in and help with all the 3-pt threats on the perimeter.

[Jamaaliver]

I'm beginning to think that best case scenario is signing Klay and resigning Dedmon to a team-friendly 2 or 3 year contract.

I think Collins could average 25pts/gm in that lineup because no one on defense could sink in and help with all the 3-pt threats on the perimeter.

More importantly, Klay could easily avg 25 ppg in that lineup as the #1 option coming off screens all day.

And no team could afford to double Trae all game long.

[Radioblacktive1]

I'm beginning to think that best case scenario is signing Klay and resigning Dedmon to a team-friendly 2 or 3 year contract.

I think Collins could average 25pts/gm in that lineup because no one on defense could sink in and help with all the 3-pt threats on the perimeter.

More importantly, Klay could easily avg 25 ppg in that lineup as the #1 option coming off screens all day.

And no team could afford to double Trae all game long.

Delicious.

[Jamaaliver]

This is also a guy I'd make a move for.

A late bloomer who'd fit well in our system:

Read on Twitter

[Radioblacktive1]

I’m down to kidnap Klay and forge his signature. That’s where I’m at now.

[Jamaaliver]

Trae Young: 'Atlanta is going to be a big spot free agents look at'

HoopsHype sat down with Young to discuss his rise to stardom, NBA transition, recent dominance, fear of birds, excitement about Atlanta, ability to recruit free agents and more




Hoopshype: With a solid core of yourself, John Collins, Taurean Prince, Kevin Huerter and others, do you think Atlanta could become an attractive destination for free agents? And, within the rules, are you open to recruiting players to the Hawks?

Trae Young: Oh, I definitely think this is going to be a big spot that free agents look at. I mean, we’re a very young team, but we’ve been playing really well lately and this is an exciting team and an exciting city. I think we’re maybe one or two pieces away from really making that jump and taking off. I definitely think this is an attractive city [and situation]. And I’m not a tampering guy or anything like that, but I think I’m a good recruiter – for sure.

Hoopshype

[Jamaaliver]

Could this be a sign that Draymond and GSW are finally ready to part ways after the season?

Is there any scenario where D Green would be content here for a season, helping us make a playoff run alongside our young stars?

Steve Kerr Appears To Complain About Draymond Green

Steve Kerr was caught on camera in the fourth quarter of the Golden State Warriors' loss to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday complaining about Draymond Green.

“I’m so (expletive) tired of Draymond’s (expletive),” Kerr appeared to say.

Kerr was made aware of the clip after his postgame media responsibilities and tried to find Green. Green had already left the arena at that point.

Reporters tried to get an additional comment from Kerr, but he said he'd speak at his normal time after practice on Monday.

Kerr and Green have had a contentious partnership at times over the years.

Wiretap

[kg01]

Draymond can come ... as long as he brings Curry with him. Otherwise .. nah.

[Buzzard]

I still think Vucevik will bolt and go elsewhere. Orlando has tried to replace him in the draft with Bamba; and he has to be tired of the trade rumors and losing every season.

Vucevik is better defensively than he gets credit for and his inside/outside game matches up perfectly with Collins. There will be plenty of wings in this draft; but finding a true center with his all around game will be near impossible. Offer him a max and see what happens.

[Jamaaliver]

What Should These Tanking Teams Do If They Miss Out on Zion Williamson?

Atlanta Hawks



1. Explore Packaging Picks

Owners of the Dallas Mavericks' first-rounder (top-five protected) after last year's Trae Young-Luka Doncic exchange, the Atlanta Hawks may be making multiple selections in the top 10. Should they? That depends on where the two picks fall and what they could get by packaging them together.

If they're up at Nos. 5 and 7, which is where today's odds place them, the Hawks could offer a package to trade up for RJ Barrett. They could also check the availability of any stars from rebuilding teams or keep one of the two selections and deal the other for a starter.



2. RJ Barrett

Based on its current record, Atlanta will need lottery luck for a shot at Barrett—a top-three lock.

He'd fit the lineup, able to play positions 2-4, and give the Hawks a go-to scorer between Young and John Collins. Tied for sixth in the country in transition points, per Synergy Sports, Barrett would also benefit from Young's uptempo style and Atlanta's league-high pace.



3. At No. 3 Pick or Later: Pass on Ja Morant and Field Calls

With Young running the show, Morant wouldn't fit in Atlanta. Both players need the ball, and neither shine defensively.

If the Hawks land the No. 3 pick with Zion Williamson and Barrett off the board, they'll likely receive calls from teams looking for point guards and eager to jump into the Morant sweepstakes. Atlanta could try to move back or simply take the best player available.

We have Cam Reddish, Jarrett Culver and De'Andre Hunter ranked in the Nos. 4-6 range, and each would fit in Atlanta's lineup. Their versatility and positional interchangeability would mesh with the current core, specifically wing/forwards Kevin Huerter and Taurean Prince.

Bleacher Report

[Jamaaliver]

Top Offseason Priorities for NBA's 10 Worst Teams

Atlanta Hawks: Get a Draymond Green-Lite


Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk, who previously served as assistant GM for the Warriors, is building a core that feels a bit like the one that came together nearly a decade ago in Golden State.

Trae Young is the defense-bending guard with deep range and preternatural playmaking instincts, while Kevin Huerter is the rangy wing with a feathery catch-and-shoot touch. Neither is Stephen Curry or Klay Thompson yet (and they probably never will be), but the similarities are hard to ignore.

Also difficult to overlook on Atlanta's rebuilding roster: the lack of a do-it-all defender to tie the whole thing together.

The Hawks need their version of Draymond Green, if only to show the kids what it takes to win consistently when shots aren't falling. They currently boast a bottom-five defense, and John Collins, who's best suited to the center spot, is a glaring minus on D.

Unfortunately for Atlanta, there isn't a "Draymond Green type." Five-position defenders who ignite teams with energy and facilitate from the forward position aren't just scarce; they're nonexistent apart from Green. But the Hawks need a guy who can fill some of the gaps Green does in Golden State.

Al-Farouq Aminu and Thaddeus Young are the kinds of free-agent forwards Atlanta should pursue. Neither fits into the age range of the team's core, but there aren't a heap of young players with the skill set Atlanta needs at the 4. If the Denver Nuggets decline Paul Millsap's $30 million team option, perhaps he'd be willing to return to the team where he became a dirty-work star a half-decade ago.

The Hawks are a cut above the other bottom-feeders we've hit so far, which makes it easier to counsel moves that aren't strictly youth-focused. After accumulating talent and establishing an identity, the next step in a rebuild is supporting the inexperienced cornerstones with an on-the-margins role-filler.

Bleacher Report

[HMFFL]

Top Offseason Priorities for NBA's 10 Worst Teams

Atlanta Hawks: Get a Draymond Green-Lite


Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk, who previously served as assistant GM for the Warriors, is building a core that feels a bit like the one that came together nearly a decade ago in Golden State.

Trae Young is the defense-bending guard with deep range and preternatural playmaking instincts, while Kevin Huerter is the rangy wing with a feathery catch-and-shoot touch. Neither is Stephen Curry or Klay Thompson yet (and they probably never will be), but the similarities are hard to ignore.

Also difficult to overlook on Atlanta's rebuilding roster: the lack of a do-it-all defender to tie the whole thing together.

The Hawks need their version of Draymond Green, if only to show the kids what it takes to win consistently when shots aren't falling. They currently boast a bottom-five defense, and John Collins, who's best suited to the center spot, is a glaring minus on D.

Unfortunately for Atlanta, there isn't a "Draymond Green type." Five-position defenders who ignite teams with energy and facilitate from the forward position aren't just scarce; they're nonexistent apart from Green. But the Hawks need a guy who can fill some of the gaps Green does in Golden State.

Al-Farouq Aminu and Thaddeus Young are the kinds of free-agent forwards Atlanta should pursue. Neither fits into the age range of the team's core, but there aren't a heap of young players with the skill set Atlanta needs at the 4. If the Denver Nuggets decline Paul Millsap's $30 million team option, perhaps he'd be willing to return to the team where he became a dirty-work star a half-decade ago.

The Hawks are a cut above the other bottom-feeders we've hit so far, which makes it easier to counsel moves that aren't strictly youth-focused. After accumulating talent and establishing an identity, the next step in a rebuild is supporting the inexperienced cornerstones with an on-the-margins role-filler.

Bleacher Report

What about Klay?

Sent from my SM-N920P using RealGM mobile app

[Jamaaliver]

What about Klay?

I believe Klay Thompson would have to be our ideal Free Agent target.

But I do suspect Trav believes he has his Klay clone already in Kevin Huerter. He may never be the same caliber of player, but if he can avg 17 ppg while shooting 40% from 3-pt range (both very reasonable goals), that's more than effective enough for this team moving forward.

As much as I'd like either Draymond or Klay added to this squad, I'm interested in finding our version of Iguodala and Shaun Livingston, too. Useful veterans off the bench to defend and facilitate.

[peoriabird]

The Hawks will not trade up using both lottery picks for RJ Barrett

[Jamaaliver]

Hmmm

Go for it mode, you say?

Read on Twitter

[Jamaaliver]

Travis Schlenk said that the Atlanta Hawks will take a careful approach in free agency as they build around a core of Trae Young, John Collins, and Kevin Huerter.

“I think what’s really important is a lot of times mistakes are made when teams go, ‘We have this cap space, we need to use it.' You can’t spend it on the wrong guy. Right? I say all the time, if you make a mistake in a draft, it doesn’t kill your franchise. Obviously you don’t want to make mistakes, but you’re talking about a two-year guaranteed contract with a small dollar amount. You make mistakes and free agents, and now you’re talking, to today’s world, a four-year contract at $25, $30 million. Those can be [killers]," said Schlenk.

Lloyd Pierce added that the Hawks can't force the next step of their evolution.

“We feel like we’re in a position now where we feel like people are going to look at the Atlanta Hawks and say, ‘They’re onto something.' Young guys that are really good. Young culture that they’ve established that everyone loves, and that’s what we’re talking about...I don’t know what the next step is, if there’s a perfect free agent or the perfect locker room guy that can come in and help us, that’s great. But if there isn’t, we can’t force it.”

Robby Kalland/Dime Magazine

[jayu70]

Travis Schlenk said that the Atlanta Hawks will take a careful approach in free agency as they build around a core of Trae Young, John Collins, and Kevin Huerter.

“I think what’s really important is a lot of times mistakes are made when teams go, ‘We have this cap space, we need to use it.' You can’t spend it on the wrong guy. Right? I say all the time, if you make a mistake in a draft, it doesn’t kill your franchise. Obviously you don’t want to make mistakes, but you’re talking about a two-year guaranteed contract with a small dollar amount. You make mistakes and free agents, and now you’re talking, to today’s world, a four-year contract at $25, $30 million. Those can be [killers]," said Schlenk.

Lloyd Pierce added that the Hawks can't force the next step of their evolution.

“We feel like we’re in a position now where we feel like people are going to look at the Atlanta Hawks and say, ‘They’re onto something.' Young guys that are really good. Young culture that they’ve established that everyone loves, and that’s what we’re talking about...I don’t know what the next step is, if there’s a perfect free agent or the perfect locker room guy that can come in and help us, that’s great. But if there isn’t, we can’t force it.”

Robby Kalland/Dime Magazine

I can't stress enough how important it is to NOT OVERPAY mid tier Free agents.  I agree with Travis' point so much (and Coach).

[King Ken]

Travis Schlenk said that the Atlanta Hawks will take a careful approach in free agency as they build around a core of Trae Young, John Collins, and Kevin Huerter.

“I think what’s really important is a lot of times mistakes are made when teams go, ‘We have this cap space, we need to use it.' You can’t spend it on the wrong guy. Right? I say all the time, if you make a mistake in a draft, it doesn’t kill your franchise. Obviously you don’t want to make mistakes, but you’re talking about a two-year guaranteed contract with a small dollar amount. You make mistakes and free agents, and now you’re talking, to today’s world, a four-year contract at $25, $30 million. Those can be [killers]," said Schlenk.

Lloyd Pierce added that the Hawks can't force the next step of their evolution.

“We feel like we’re in a position now where we feel like people are going to look at the Atlanta Hawks and say, ‘They’re onto something.' Young guys that are really good. Young culture that they’ve established that everyone loves, and that’s what we’re talking about...I don’t know what the next step is, if there’s a perfect free agent or the perfect locker room guy that can come in and help us, that’s great. But if there isn’t, we can’t force it.”

Robby Kalland/Dime Magazine

Sounds like a glowing endorsement to bring back Horford. Seahawks brought back K.J. Wright. These are franchise critical pieces.