I Still Know What They Should Do This Summer Atlanta Hawks

[loserX]

Hi all: we've done threads like this the past few years and gotten to see some really good ideas and creativity, so here's one for now. (Will we do all the teams? Maybe! If there's a team you'd like to see, feel free to suggest, or start your own thread!)

The idea: for the team listed, plan out their offseason as you see it: trades, draft, free agency. Obviously at this time there is a LOT of uncertainty about what the rest of the season/offseason will hold, but we can use some assumptions, and if you're here it means that like me you don't have a lot else going on

Today's team is the Atlanta Hawks. After a few years winning big in the regular season and promptly getting run over by the LeBron Express, the Hawks decided to start over and acquire young talent. After identifying players they wanted for their future core, it appears the team has decided to turn the corner again and start building their team. How should they continue?

ROSTER
Clint Capela........17,500,000.....18,543,478.....19,586,957
Dewayne Dedmon.13,333,333.....13,333,333 (ung)
De'Andre Hunter... 7,422,000..... 7,775,440 (TO).. 9,835,881 (TO)
Trae Young......... 6,571,800..... 3,326,471 (TO)
Cam Reddish....... 4,458,000.... 4,670,160 (TO)... 5,954,454 (TO)
Kevin Huerter..... 2,761,920.... 4,253,357 (TO)
Bruno Fernandez. 1,517,981.... 1,782,621 (ung)
Brandon Goodwin. 1,701,593 (ung)

Total of above for 2020-21: $59,403,929
RFAs: DeAndre Bembry, Damian Jones, Skal Labissiere
UFAs: Jeff Teague, Vince Carter, Treveon Graham

Draft picks: assuming current draft order, Detroit would have the #4 pick in the 2020 draft, and the #52 (from Houston). They own all their own future firsts, and have OKC's 1st rounder (lotto protected) in 2022. They have 2nd rounders incoming and outgoing, but the short version is: 1 in 2021, 0 in 2022, 2 in 2023, 1 in 2024, 2 in 2025 and 2 in 2026.

There are some options here: what should the Hawks do?

Questions to consider:

Max Power: Most players on the roster are on rookie contracts, and the other two are affordable. That means a *lot* of capspace in the summer of 2020, one of few teams that can claim that. What should they do? Look to sign some big names to fit around their kids? Offer to absorb salary to help acquire a star? Selling it is always an option, but based on their current direction, "just randomly taking garbage and picks" doesn't seem that likely. They've been very selective about the assets they add.

D Minus: Perhaps unsurprisingly for a young team, the Hawks' defense was frequently awful last year, sometimes to the point of nonexistence. Growth and coaching may help, and lately having added legit NBA centres as a back line of defence should make a big difference. Still, it wouldn't be the worst idea to add some perimeter defenders, especially with Trae Young...um...developing on that side of the ball while playing big minutes. Any recommendations?

Good Point: Trae is a star, no doubt in my mind. But the team could use a stabilizing force behind him, especially with so many other young players learning on the job. Picking up Teague so cheaply last year was a good step, but now he's UFA again. If it's not him coming back it needs to be someone else. They do have a high pick in a PG-heavy draft, but (a) it's unclear if another rookie will be the solution, and (b) using a top-4 pick on a backup for your star doesn't seem like a great use of resources...

So...if you ran the Hawks, what would you do?

[giberish]

I'd look to add 3 notable rotation players. Combined with the returning guys that should be plenty of depth to get through a season and make a push for the playoffs (with everyone healthy it might even look too deep but that never lasts).

I'd push for a backup PG with size/defense, a SG/SF type and a SF/PF type. Figure the high lotto pick gets one. The other two should be more mid-career players as the rest of the team is so young. These could either be FA's or players added in trade mostly for cap space.

Adding two more mid-career vets along with the center patch from the trade deadline should give the Hawks enough experience (aided by the young core being a year older) and defense to make a credible playoff push.

[pipfan]

I think they should wait it out. Absorb bad contracts and future picks and keep building

[lordjeff05]

You have to decide if you want John Collins to be your permanent second option. The main issue is that if you commit to him then your two best players are a negative on defense which puts slot of pressure on your other guys.

I actually like what Atlanta is building here although I think it works best with a defensive stretch wing at the 4, because it provides another defender to take the pressure off of Young. The more wings on the court, the better.

I’d draft another wing like Okoro and invest money in to a solid backup for young that can reduce some of the pressure on the bench units when we hits. Run Young, Huerter, Reddish, Collins and Capela, and feed major minutes to the back point, Okoro and Hunter, who should eat up a lot of minutes at the 4, assuming that Collins plays at the 5, when Capela is off the court.

[babyjax13]

I like where they are at, I wouldn't be making major moves this year. Just make another draft pick, ideally a 2 or a 4 (Killian Hayes and Obi Toppin make the most sense) and use the first half of the season to get a better sense of if things need to change (esp. viz. Collins). In free agency, grab a few vets that can add a positive lockerroom presence, and basically just run it back.

[jayu70]

Make their pick of BPA at #4, whoever they pick will be coming off the bench. Preferably PG or Wing.
Sign vets at PG, SG/SF, PF

[getrichordie]

I'm probably in the minority here, but if Wiseman is available, I'd like to see the Hawks take a shot on him and let him develop behind Capela. At worst, he should still be a valuable trade piece. The other guy I like here is Maxey. I can see him being the first guard off the bench. Haliburton is another good choice. He could be the glue guy that ties everything together.

Other than that, I think Grant is a guy they should go after if they don't believe in Collins.

[slos]

This team is too young to D properly and their star players (Trae/Collins) seem that they will always be negative in that field. But Atlanta was wise to bring on board Capela, since the "5" was their biggest weakness and there is only Wiseman that could possibly fix that with their 2020 FRP.

First, Atlanta should be all in for Edwards in this draft. They have Young/Collins/Capela definitely starting and between Huerter and Hunter I would want to keep Hunter starting as their best young defender. Edwards is the best SG available and maybe the BPA in this draft. So, let's see what comes out of the lottery first. Atlanta owns all it's future picks and a lottery protected from Oklahoma if they need to trade up 1-2 spots. I wouldn't like to see Atlanta wasting a top 5 pick to get a backup PG.

I think the rest will be easy for Atlanta. They can spend as much as they want to bring some D and leadership to this young team. Bringing back Milsap to mentor Collins makes sense. I don't know if there are still bad feelings, but bringing back Schroder too (with Oklahoma getting their pick back) makes a ton of sense.

Young......Schroder
Edwards...Huerter
Hunter.....Reddish
Collins.....Milsap
Capela.....Dedmon

That would be awesome for Atlanta even if they have to lose their 2021 FRP to get Edwards.

[Ball4life32]

You have to decide if you want John Collins to be your permanent second option. The main issue is that if you commit to him then your two best players are a negative on defense which puts slot of pressure on your other guys.

I actually like what Atlanta is building here although I think it works best with a defensive stretch wing at the 4, because it provides another defender to take the pressure off of Young. The more wings on the court, the better.

I’d draft another wing like Okoro and invest money in to a solid backup for young that can reduce some of the pressure on the bench units when we hits. Run Young, Huerter, Reddish, Collins and Capela, and feed major minutes to the back point, Okoro and Hunter, who should eat up a lot of minutes at the 4, assuming that Collins plays at the 5, when Capela is off the court.

Collins defense is kind of inconsistent but he’s not a negative on that end. Positive DRPM, DPIPM, DPM, 15th in the nba in block %, 46% DFG% guarding PF/C’s. (9th in the nba in DFGA freq)

[getrichordie]

You have to decide if you want John Collins to be your permanent second option. The main issue is that if you commit to him then your two best players are a negative on defense which puts slot of pressure on your other guys.

I actually like what Atlanta is building here although I think it works best with a defensive stretch wing at the 4, because it provides another defender to take the pressure off of Young. The more wings on the court, the better.

I’d draft another wing like Okoro and invest money in to a solid backup for young that can reduce some of the pressure on the bench units when we hits. Run Young, Huerter, Reddish, Collins and Capela, and feed major minutes to the back point, Okoro and Hunter, who should eat up a lot of minutes at the 4, assuming that Collins plays at the 5, when Capela is off the court.

Collins defense is kind of inconsistent but he’s not a negative on that end. Positive DRPM, DPIPM, DPM, 15th in the nba in block %, 46% DFG% guarding PF/C’s.

The issue is that you kind of need a better defender when Trae Young is your franchise point guard.

[NYG]

Who are the top 3-5 defensive PG free agents?

Who are the top 3-5 defensive wing free agents?

[Ball4life32]

You have to decide if you want John Collins to be your permanent second option. The main issue is that if you commit to him then your two best players are a negative on defense which puts slot of pressure on your other guys.

I actually like what Atlanta is building here although I think it works best with a defensive stretch wing at the 4, because it provides another defender to take the pressure off of Young. The more wings on the court, the better.

I’d draft another wing like Okoro and invest money in to a solid backup for young that can reduce some of the pressure on the bench units when we hits. Run Young, Huerter, Reddish, Collins and Capela, and feed major minutes to the back point, Okoro and Hunter, who should eat up a lot of minutes at the 4, assuming that Collins plays at the 5, when Capela is off the court.

Collins defense is kind of inconsistent but he’s not a negative on that end. Positive DRPM, DPIPM, DPM, 15th in the nba in block %, 46% DFG% guarding PF/C’s.

The issue is that you kind of need a better defender when Trae Young is your franchise point guard.

But his defense isn’t even bad despite the narrative .....elite offense & above average defense + still improving. Not saying he’s elite or an anchor but he’s a willing defender at least.

[jayu70]

Who are the top 3-5 defensive PG free agents?

Who are the top 3-5 defensive wing free agents?

PG: Chris Dunn
SF: Jerami Grant, Mo Harkless, JaecCrowder come to mind

[getrichordie]

Collins defense is kind of inconsistent but he’s not a negative on that end. Positive DRPM, DPIPM, DPM, 15th in the nba in block %, 46% DFG% guarding PF/C’s.

The issue is that you kind of need a better defender when Trae Young is your franchise point guard.

But his defense isn’t even bad.....elite offense & above average defense + still improving.

Not saying his defense is bad. I'm saying you would want better. And Collins' offense isn't elite. It is good, but definitely not elite.

[getrichordie]

Who are the top 3-5 defensive PG free agents?

Who are the top 3-5 defensive wing free agents?

PG: Chris Dunn
SF: Jerami Grant, Mo Harkless, JaecCrowder come to mind

I've recently suggested that Dunn be picked up by the Hawks. I think he would be a good fit next to Trae.

[jayu70]

The issue is that you kind of need a better defender when Trae Young is your franchise point guard.

But his defense isn’t even bad.....elite offense & above average defense + still improving.

Not saying his defense is bad. I'm saying you would want better. And Collins' offense isn't elite. It is good, but definitely not elite.

With Reddish, Hunter and Capela and an improving JCollins, that's more than enough to cover Trae on defense.

[getrichordie]

But his defense isn’t even bad.....elite offense & above average defense + still improving.

Not saying his defense is bad. I'm saying you would want better. And Collins' offense isn't elite. It is good, but definitely not elite.

With Reddish, Hunter and Capela and an improving JCollins, that's more than enough to cover Trae on defense.

So Reddish and Hunter are starting at the 2/3 next year?

[jayu70]

Not saying his defense is bad. I'm saying you would want better. And Collins' offense isn't elite. It is good, but definitely not elite.

With Reddish, Hunter and Capela and an improving JCollins, that's more than enough to cover Trae on defense.

So Reddish and Hunter are starting at the 2/3 next year?

If Reddish can keep his offense on the upward swing like he was doing since 2020 started, because of his defense he may supplant Huerter as the starting SG next to Trae. (That's the general hawks fans consensus)
Hunter is our SF starter.

[getrichordie]

With Reddish, Hunter and Capela and an improving JCollins, that's more than enough to cover Trae on defense.

So Reddish and Hunter are starting at the 2/3 next year?

If Reddish can keep his offense on the upward swing like he was doing since 2020 started, because of his defense he may supplant Huerter as the starting SG next to Trae. (That's the general hawks fans consensus)

I agree that Reddish should be the starting 2, but according to DRPM, you realize Hunter and Reddish are two of the bottom defenders in the league? I believe those numbers aren't entirely representative of their defensive capabilities, and adding a healthy Capela to the starting lineup will help out the defense tremendously, but Reddish and Hunter have yet to establish that they are capable enough defenders to compensate for Young's deficiencies.

[jayu70]

So Reddish and Hunter are starting at the 2/3 next year?

If Reddish can keep his offense on the upward swing like he was doing since 2020 started, because of his defense he may supplant Huerter as the starting SG next to Trae. (That's the general hawks fans consensus)

I agree that Reddish should be the starting 2, but according to DRPM, you realize Hunter and Reddish are two of the bottom defenders in the league? I believe those numbers aren't entirely representative of their defensive capabilities, and adding a healthy Capela to the starting lineup will help out the defense tremendously, but Reddish and Hunter have yet to establish that they are capable enough defenders to compensate for Young's deficiencies.

The numbers don't tell the entire story. The Hawks as a whole was bad overall. The potential is there and that's the hope with Capela in the mix.
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