Post by dcarson10 on Feb 22, 2017 18:46:27 GMT -6
The Atlanta Hawks have had an interesting season. After a 60 win season two years and another strong showing last year, they lost two key pieces from those teams during the off season with the Jeff Teague trade and Al Horford signing with Boston. Despite the losses, Atlanta started the season off and found themselves in the playoff race. Kyle Korver was suddenly traded to Cleveland and it looked like the Hawks might be throwing in towel when rumors of Paul Millsap being traded were reported. After a couple weeks of speculation, Atlanta kept winning and pulled Millsap off the trading table. They are now sitting at 32-24, which puts them a half game back of Toronto for the 4th seed. What direction should the Hawks take from here?
There roster currently looks like:
PG: Dennis Schroder/Malcolm Delaney
SG: Tim Hardaway Jr./DeAndre Bembry
SF: Kent Bazemore/Mike Dunleavy
PF: Paul Millsap/ Mike Muscala
C: Dwight Howard/ Kris Humphries
11th: Taurean Prince
12th: Lamar Patterson
IR: Thabo Sefolosha (INJ), Tiago Splitter (INJ), Mike Scott (INJ),
A trade doesn't seem likely, but they could certainly use another PG. They own their first round pick, which will range from 18-22 I am assuming, as well as the Nets second round pick (of course they do), which could be enough to land Deron Williams from Dallas, Shelvin Mack from Utah, one of Chicago's three PGs, or possibly Aaron Brooks from Indiana to name a few options. Once Sefolosha and Scott are healthy, their depth on the perimeter and inside (although Scott doesn't go inside too much) will be much improved. Splitter would be huge to have, but I wouldn't hold my breath on him getting healthy. Delaney has played decently for a rookie backup, but another ball handler would be great, especially if they can get a decent one for the Nets' pick they own.
Barring some insane deal, there's nothing big Atlanta can do to make a major improvement in the next 24 hours. What should be their outlook for the future? Honestly I think they made the right decision to compete this year. They are definitely looking like a second round team at best, but if they can't get an elite return for Millsap, they should try their best to compete.
How can they get to next level? That will be tough, but it's obvious they are weak on the wing. Schroder is their long-term plan at the PG and is already locked until 2021 on what should be a nice looking contract. Howard still has another two years and at this point they are going to go all out to re-sign Millsap in the off-season. Bazemore showed great promise last year and received a nice contract, but hasn't played at the same level. Teague was more of a passing PG and Bazemore is definitely missing Teague's passing off penetration since Schroder is more of a score-first PG. Bazemore benefited from Teague's drive and dish approach which left the defense off-balance compared to this year where he is responsible for creating more himself. With Schroder as the PG, they are better off finding a new home for Bazemore, which might not be easy. They should make a run at Otto Porter (Washington will likely match), Redick, and maybe even Tony Snell in the off-season. If they hold onto their picks, Rodions Kurucs or Luke Kennard would be good targets in the first round and Jawon Evans or Nigel Williams-Goss would be great targets for the second round. They should certainly bring back Hardaway, Dunleavy, and Sefolosha in the off-season. Prince is young and has potential, but he has a had tough rookie season and shouldn't be counted on to be a major contributor this season or next.
In short, Atlanta made the right call competing this year. Moving forward, they should re-sign Millsap and Hardaway Jr., pick up Dunleavy's option, explore trade options for Bazemore, make offers to Porter and Redick but have backup deals with players like Snell, Evans, and even Korver, and use their draft picks to get some depth on the wing and at the point guard spot. After Dwight's deal is up, I would reevaluate things. But until then, the Hawks should try their best to compete for a title.
There roster currently looks like:
PG: Dennis Schroder/Malcolm Delaney
SG: Tim Hardaway Jr./DeAndre Bembry
SF: Kent Bazemore/Mike Dunleavy
PF: Paul Millsap/ Mike Muscala
C: Dwight Howard/ Kris Humphries
11th: Taurean Prince
12th: Lamar Patterson
IR: Thabo Sefolosha (INJ), Tiago Splitter (INJ), Mike Scott (INJ),
A trade doesn't seem likely, but they could certainly use another PG. They own their first round pick, which will range from 18-22 I am assuming, as well as the Nets second round pick (of course they do), which could be enough to land Deron Williams from Dallas, Shelvin Mack from Utah, one of Chicago's three PGs, or possibly Aaron Brooks from Indiana to name a few options. Once Sefolosha and Scott are healthy, their depth on the perimeter and inside (although Scott doesn't go inside too much) will be much improved. Splitter would be huge to have, but I wouldn't hold my breath on him getting healthy. Delaney has played decently for a rookie backup, but another ball handler would be great, especially if they can get a decent one for the Nets' pick they own.
Barring some insane deal, there's nothing big Atlanta can do to make a major improvement in the next 24 hours. What should be their outlook for the future? Honestly I think they made the right decision to compete this year. They are definitely looking like a second round team at best, but if they can't get an elite return for Millsap, they should try their best to compete.
How can they get to next level? That will be tough, but it's obvious they are weak on the wing. Schroder is their long-term plan at the PG and is already locked until 2021 on what should be a nice looking contract. Howard still has another two years and at this point they are going to go all out to re-sign Millsap in the off-season. Bazemore showed great promise last year and received a nice contract, but hasn't played at the same level. Teague was more of a passing PG and Bazemore is definitely missing Teague's passing off penetration since Schroder is more of a score-first PG. Bazemore benefited from Teague's drive and dish approach which left the defense off-balance compared to this year where he is responsible for creating more himself. With Schroder as the PG, they are better off finding a new home for Bazemore, which might not be easy. They should make a run at Otto Porter (Washington will likely match), Redick, and maybe even Tony Snell in the off-season. If they hold onto their picks, Rodions Kurucs or Luke Kennard would be good targets in the first round and Jawon Evans or Nigel Williams-Goss would be great targets for the second round. They should certainly bring back Hardaway, Dunleavy, and Sefolosha in the off-season. Prince is young and has potential, but he has a had tough rookie season and shouldn't be counted on to be a major contributor this season or next.
In short, Atlanta made the right call competing this year. Moving forward, they should re-sign Millsap and Hardaway Jr., pick up Dunleavy's option, explore trade options for Bazemore, make offers to Porter and Redick but have backup deals with players like Snell, Evans, and even Korver, and use their draft picks to get some depth on the wing and at the point guard spot. After Dwight's deal is up, I would reevaluate things. But until then, the Hawks should try their best to compete for a title.