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Atlanta Hawks Off-Season Questions

Atlanta Hawks Questions

Question 1 – NYG: Which draft prospects make the most sense for Atlanta?

Question 2 – NYG: How can they possibly use up all of that cap space?

Question 3 – DeathLineup: Are they going to give Collins max extension?

 

Which draft prospects make the most sense for Atlanta?

getrichordie

I’d be looking to draft a defensive-minded wing to put next to Trae Young and replace Kevin Huerter as a starter — Okoro and Vassell come to mind.

They need a stopper on the wing. Rim-protection starts on the perimeter. I’d go with Okoro, personally. Think he’s a little more versatile on D.

Hali is too small. Frame is thin.

An ultimate gamble/upside play is trading back and drafting a Ramsey and a Riller.

 

NYG

Okoro seems like a great fit in a lot of places

The Hawks are so deep of young talent, do they need to consolidate somehow?

 

babyjax13

I anticipate that Atlanta will be focusing on one of the lanky, wing defenders. Devin Vassell and Isaac Okoro are the obvious choices in their likely draft range, and I think Vassell’s shooting would give him a slight edge. If they move up, Anthony Edwards becomes the obvious target with his frame and hypothetical ability to put pressure on the rim. One more note on the draft, though, if rumors from earlier in the season are true and they are looking to trade John Collins, Obi Toppin could be Atlanta’s pick.

 

jredsaz

I agree with the general sentiment; Devin Vassell strikes me as the best fit. He can play the 2/3 and guard across multiple positions. He has some upside as a secondary creator. He would play well off Trey and add some needed athleticism to the backcourt. Vassell can shoot which separates him from Issac Okoro, IMO. Unfortunately, I dont think he has a big upside. He doesn’t appear to have the ceiling of a Anthony Edwards, Kilian Hayes or Deni Avdija. This will come down to the lottery results. I think the higher the pick the more likely the Hawks are to take a big swing.

 

 

How can they possibly use up all of that cap space?

 

NYG

I think they are going to drive up the price on specific guys that are good fits such as Joe Harris and Davis Bertans mixed in with some taking on bad money if there is any out there for some compensated return.  If they can get a guard and/or forward that can shoot and/or defend, I see Atlanta pursuing it.  Could they be a sneaky team to trade something of value for a Derrick Rose, Tony Snell and Luke Kennard and punt some of their cap space in 2021?  It may not be ideal fits, but all 3 could have a role there in terms of minutes.

 

getrichordie

I think the smartest thing they can do is sign a competent back up point/combo-guard to soak up minutes behind Young. Preferably a veteran who can mentor Reddish/Young. They also need to be looking for a competent back-up 4. Preferably someone who can moonlight as a 3 as well.

Don’t go crazy with the cap space you have. Save $ next season and use it as a buffer for when you go all in with Young’s presumed max. It’s still early on in the rebuild phase, so don’t get too good, yet. Maximize your draft capital — especially for next year in a strong draft.

I’d probably be looking at a guy like Dragic for back up point. I might look at a guy like Montrezl Harrell as a super 6th man to fill minutes behind Collins/Capela.

 

NYG

I also like Kris Dunn in free agency for Atlanta

 

getrichordie

I was going through the FA list and I didn’t see Dunn on there for some reason but yeah I really like Dunn a lot for ATL.

 

NYG

Is Maurice Harkless a fit there as a free agent?  What contract does Dunn need to get for the Bulls not to match?

 

getrichordie

I think 3/24 gets Dunn, honestly. Bulls already have a ton of guards.

Maybe even less given injuries

 

babyjax13
Needs: backup guard, bench scoring, perimeter defense

Ultimately, I think the Hawks are one of the few young teams in the league who will primarily benefit by not making any major changes in their rotation. Their most pressing needs are development, and a competent backup point guard if they choose not to resign Teague (or if he goes elsewhere, e.g. the Lakers seem like a team that could be interested). They may also benefit from more perimeter defenders, and some scoring off the bench – their starting lineup can scorch teams, but who will their 6th man be next season?

Five free agents that make sense: Joe Harris, DJ Augustin, Jordan Clarkson, Kris Dunn, Torrey Craig
None of these free agents are sexy, but they do things that Atlanta can benefit from. Joe Harris and Jordan Clarkson would provide valuable offense off the bench, and both can fill in at multiple positions if someone were hurt. Kris Dunn is one of the best perimeter defenders in the league, and Torrey Craig has (at times) been highly disruptive on that end as well.

 

jredsaz

I think I’m in the minority here but the Hawks should look to add veteran talent. I would see if Danilo Gallinari likes peach cobbler and Outkast. I would pay him generously for two years, leaving the cap sheet clear for Youngs impending max in 2022/2023. In the Covid economy, the Hawks have an advantage this offseason that no other team has and few teams in the history of the salary capped NBA have ever had. Gallinari has the talent to elevate this team to the Playoffs. Nothing will be better for the development of Young & Co. than winning and the addition of Clint Capela allows for an offensive extravagance. If there isnt mutual interest there I would consider an offer sheet for one of Bogdan Bogdanovic or Malik Beasley. Both are young restricted free agents and would be good longterm fits.

 

 

Are they going to give Collins max extension?

 

getrichordie

I’m interested in dissecting the Collins’ extension situation. What kind of extension is he eligible for?

 

NYG

With the cap being so up in the air currently given the Covid-19 impact, I’m not sure what kind of rookie extension MAX we’re looking at honestly

I do think the Hawks could fall into a bad situation where they end up overpaying Collins.

 

getrichordie

I think they have to extend him. Stretch 4s are a commodity and aren’t easy to obtain. And ATL isn’t exactly a premiere free agent destination. What’s the back up plan at the 4 here if they decide to not extend him?

Only way I can see that they don’t extend him is if they are in love with a Toppin or a Pokusevski.

There aren’t a ton of guys at the 4 capable of putting up 20/10 in 33 minutes a night at 22 years old.

 

Deathlineup

Gun to the head, I’m guessing Collins will sign an extension. But it won’t be for the max. The economic climate is just too damn bad right now. And Collins has not shown enough to get a max extension during this tough times.

Moreover, Hawks just traded for Capela too. I’m not sure Collins and Capela could work well together. Hawks might want to wait before committing big money to Collins.

 

NYG

I don’t know if the Hawks extend Collins or revisit next off-season when he is a RFA

 

getrichordie

Does strength of 2021 FA drive down Collins’ price?

If so, it could be better to wait.

For the Hawks….

 

NYG

I could definitely see the Hawks waiting to see how Collins fits with Capela and seeing what Collins’ trade value is if he doesn’t fit well.

 

getrichordie

Yeah I was thinking that too. You would think they should be able to mesh well together. Just bet on Collins’ stretching the floor a bit more.

 

babyjax13

I think he deserves a max extension, and that they will give it to him. If they decide he is not worth that, I imagine they trade him, or keep them through next season to attempt orchestrating a sign and trade (but they’d likely lose value on that as opposed to trading him now).

jredsaz

I dont do an extension. I like Collins a lot and a legit stretch four is hard to come by. A stretch four who gets you 20/10 is gold. Still, I dont know if he is a true second option to Young. His defense has improved but it isnt great and his passing leaves me wanting. How he plays off of Clint Capela is important.  Before committing max money I would want to know that frontline can work. In the end, I think I match another teams RFA offer or work out a non-max contract in the summer of 2021. There is also the outside chance that a high end 2021 free agents has interest in Atlanta. Hawks shouldnt close that door even if it is unlikely.

 

 

 

BONUS TALK

Deathlineup

I’m guessing teams will be very conservative in the upcoming offseason. I don’t expect any team making big moves considering the presence of corona. Most teams will try to save as much money as possible.

Another point, most NBA players have done a good job in their own city/community during this tough times. They go to the BLM rally and make big donations for the ones that lose jobs. Parting ways with those players will get the team a PR backlash. Teams don’t want that problem.

 

Deathlineup

Hawks new uniforms. What you think? Rate it 1-10

NYG

I like them

jredsaz

I hated them the first time I saw them. Then I came back here to post about it and damn… they are kinda growing on me.

Side note: Is Jordan Brand doing an alternate for every team this year? Just some?

jredsaz

Found my answer

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