What would you do with the Hawks?

[CFAN38]

Im not really sure of their Cap situation in regards to making a run at any FAs this year.

Free Agency aside I would start trying to play this team at both ends. It may not be wise but I would look to handing the teams reigns over to Schroeder next season while maintaining the teams winning ways and trying to develop some youth on the bench.

1. Resign Horford, if I where the ATL GM I would look to keep the core of Horford, Milsap and Korver for next season. Worst case if the teams falters they can go with a trade deadline fire sale and go for on youth movement.

2. Shop Teague, the next faze of the Hawks will be lead by Schroeder they need to get value for teague while they can in order to accelerate this faze. Possible trade Teague to Utah for #12 and A Burke? to NYK for Afflalo and future 1st?. Or maybe Teague and #21 and #44 to the Kings for #8 and Bellineli? The Bucks could also make sense maybe MCW + #10 for Teague and #21? I'm not sure that Teague will hold enough value to get any of these deal (outside of NYK) done but that's the sort of thing I would be looking for.

3. Resign Bazemore, finding a replacement wing will prove very tough they are likely best served retaining his services.


By trying to turn Teague into additional youth the team will be placing a clear eye on the future while still competing. If and when the teams truly starts showing its age all three of their best players will still have value. Milsap should age well and is still at the top of his game, Horford is a multi skilled big who doesn't rely on athleticism so should have a nice second act as a role playing big, and Korver will always hold value as a hired gun ala Mike Miller. They all should net some sort of asset when the time comes to end this team. This offseason seems to me to be 1-2 years early.


 

[PhoSita]

I'd see if the Jazz are willing to revisit the idea of Burke,  Burks, and a first for Teague.

Maybe get them to throw in Booker.

[Moranis]

I'd see if the Jazz are willing to revisit the idea of Burke,  Burks, and a first for Teague.

Maybe get them to throw in Booker.

Can't see that happening for a guy on an expiring deal (I mean the original offer not even including Booker).

[TheSundanceKid]

Something else to consider for them re-signing Horford. In 2017 there will be a number of teams that have missed out on the FAs that summer. If at that point they do decide a rebuild is in order then the 17-18 season would be a good opportunity to trade Horford

[PhoSita]

I'd see if the Jazz are willing to revisit the idea of Burke,  Burks, and a first for Teague.

Maybe get them to throw in Booker.

Can't see that happening for a guy on an expiring deal (I mean the original offer not even including Booker).

Yeah, probably true.

Maybe try getting a nice package for Schroder instead.

Whichever one gets them more, they should try to trade for some additional supporting pieces.

In general they just need more speed, rebounding, and individual scoring (ie not dependent on having shots created by others).

[Moranis]

I'd see if the Jazz are willing to revisit the idea of Burke,  Burks, and a first for Teague.

Maybe get them to throw in Booker.

Can't see that happening for a guy on an expiring deal (I mean the original offer not even including Booker).

Yeah, probably true.

Maybe try getting a nice package for Schroder instead.

Whichever one gets them more, they should try to trade for some additional supporting pieces.

In general they just need more speed, rebounding, and individual scoring (ie not dependent on having shots created by others).

but none of that will make them a legit contender, so what is the point?  The Hawks should absolute cash in on Korver, Teague, and Milsap and should let Horford walk.  They need to start over.  I can see them keeping Bazemore as him and Schroder are a nice little base, but not near good enough to keep them floating in mediocrity. 

Why just delay the inevitable?  What point does that really serve except wasting time?  Sure, they could continue like they have been making the playoffs and making money, but long term it doesn't serve any real purpose. 

[LooseCannon]

By a lot of metrics, the Hawks have a top ten player in Millsap and a top twenty player in Horford.  That is a significant talent base where a lucky free agent pickup plus a lucky draft pick is enough to give them a puncher's chance.  They are basically too good to blow it up.

I'm not really impressed by Schroeder, though.

[saltlover]

I'd see if the Jazz are willing to revisit the idea of Burke,  Burks, and a first for Teague.

Maybe get them to throw in Booker.

Can't see that happening for a guy on an expiring deal (I mean the original offer not even including Booker).

Yeah, probably true.

Maybe try getting a nice package for Schroder instead.

Whichever one gets them more, they should try to trade for some additional supporting pieces.

In general they just need more speed, rebounding, and individual scoring (ie not dependent on having shots created by others).

but none of that will make them a legit contender, so what is the point?  The Hawks should absolute cash in on Korver, Teague, and Milsap and should let Horford walk.  They need to start over.  I can see them keeping Bazemore as him and Schroder are a nice little base, but not near good enough to keep them floating in mediocrity. 

Why just delay the inevitable?  What point does that really serve except wasting time?  Sure, they could continue like they have been making the playoffs and making money, but long term it doesn't serve any real purpose.

I think the odds are much higher that they could be a 50+ win team that goes to the conference finals next year than they would be in even five years if they tear things down.  If Horford leaves, it's a different story, but again, they have about $20 million, maybe a little more, in cap room, including Horford's cap hold.  So they could afford to sign a max or near-max player this summer, and add it to their current team (minus Bazemore).  Or they could keep Bazemore and add another secondary talent, either through free agency or trade.  While they have to find a partner to tango with, as they say, they have the assets and cap space to improve their team, as opposed to treading water.  Heck, they could create room for Durant really easily if he wants to sign there (stretching Splitter should be enough).

If Horford decides to sign elsewhere, tearing it down makes more sense.  But plan A for them should be to keep Horford and add to the team, and maybe choosing between Teague and Schroder, trading the other to upgrade at the 3.

[Who]

By a lot of metrics, the Hawks have a top ten player in Millsap and a top twenty player in Horford.  That is a significant talent base where a lucky free agent pickup plus a lucky draft pick is enough to give them a puncher's chance.  They are basically too good to blow it up.

I'm not really impressed by Schroeder, though.

I'd love to see Durant join them. I think that would be a really fun team.

PG: Teague, Schroeder
SG: Bazemore, Korver
SF: Durant, Thabo
PF: Millsap, Scott
 C: Horford, Muscala

I don't know why Durant isn't looking hard at Atlanta. They have everything place. He has two highly skilled big men. A high quality PG. A deep bench. A terrific coaching staff. A team that can stretch the floor and give him spacing. A strong defensive unit. Durant would be the unquestioned #1 guy on the team. Instant Championship caliber team.

Plus, taking a team that hasn't ever won an NBA title in Atlanta. Has had limited post-season success. Never to the finals. Only once conference finals. Taking a team like that and leading them to a title would be a major achievement. Much more so than jumping on the back of some other title winning squad (GSW, SAS).

[saltlover]

By a lot of metrics, the Hawks have a top ten player in Millsap and a top twenty player in Horford.  That is a significant talent base where a lucky free agent pickup plus a lucky draft pick is enough to give them a puncher's chance.  They are basically too good to blow it up.

I'm not really impressed by Schroeder, though.

I'd love to see Durant join them. I think that would be a really fun team.

PG: Teague, Schroeder
SG: Bazemore, Korver
SF: Durant, Thabo
PF: Millsap, Scott
 C: Horford, Muscala

I don't know why Durant isn't looking hard at Atlanta. They have everything place. He has two highly skilled big men. A high quality PG. A deep bench. A terrific coaching staff. A team that can stretch the floor and give him spacing. A strong defensive unit. Durant would be the unquestioned #1 guy on the team. Instant Championship caliber team.

Plus, taking a team that hasn't ever won an NBA title in Atlanta. Has had limited post-season success. Never to the finals. Only once conference finals. Taking a team like that and leading them to a title would be a major achievement. Much more so than jumping on the back of some other title winning squad (GSW, SAS).

It would be tough to keep Bazemore and add Durant.  They only have early Bird rights, which limits what they can offer him if they want to go over the cap to keep him.  I think Bazemore will get an offer exceeding that level this summer.

But:

Teague, Schroder
Korver, Hardaway
Durant, Sefalosha
Horford, Scott
Milsap, Muscala (or Tavares)

is a team that can really challenge Cleveland.

[jpotter33]

By a lot of metrics, the Hawks have a top ten player in Millsap and a top twenty player in Horford.  That is a significant talent base where a lucky free agent pickup plus a lucky draft pick is enough to give them a puncher's chance.  They are basically too good to blow it up.

I'm not really impressed by Schroeder, though.

I'd love to see Durant join them. I think that would be a really fun team.

PG: Teague, Schroeder
SG: Bazemore, Korver
SF: Durant, Thabo
PF: Millsap, Scott
 C: Horford, Muscala

I don't know why Durant isn't looking hard at Atlanta. They have everything place. He has two highly skilled big men. A high quality PG. A deep bench. A terrific coaching staff. A team that can stretch the floor and give him spacing. A strong defensive unit. Durant would be the unquestioned #1 guy on the team. Instant Championship caliber team.

Plus, taking a team that hasn't ever won an NBA title in Atlanta. Has had limited post-season success. Never to the finals. Only once conference finals. Taking a team like that and leading them to a title would be a major achievement. Much more so than jumping on the back of some other title winning squad (GSW, SAS).

It would be tough to keep Bazemore and add Durant.  They only have early Bird rights, which limits what they can offer him if they want to go over the cap to keep him.  I think Bazemore will get an offer exceeding that level this summer.

But:

Teague, Schroder
Korver, Hardaway
Durant, Sefalosha
Horford, Scott
Milsap, Muscala (or Tavares)

is a team that can really challenge Cleveland.

Though they'd possibly challenge Cleveland (I still think Cleveland would beat them), that's an older team with significant past injury issues to worry about. How long is the window for that team when you have three 30+ year old starters that should start slowing down any time within the next year or two? I just think Durant has better options out there than this.

I'm with Moranis on this - I think they should blow it up, especially if Horford leaves. Hell, recreate that front line in Boston. If Durant doesn't come here, Horford plus Milsap would be a significant addition, especially if you could trade for Butler, too.

[PhoSita]

but none of that will make them a legit contender, so what is the point? 

Because not everybody can build a contender.

That's the truth.

Sure, the Hawks could blow it up and be terrible for who knows how long.

Or they could keep the two All-Star caliber big men they have, one of whom is coming off his best season yet, and keep winning 50ish games or more with a shot at winning at least a series in the playoffs.


For a team in a market like Atlanta, that's too good to just throw away.  If that team hangs out around 20-30 wins for half a decade, good luck building up your fanbase again.  It's already hard enough for them to get consistent fan support.

I think they have a much better chance of having a special season if they just hold onto Millsap and Horford, make some bold moves elsewhere on the roster, and see what Coach Bud can do with them.

Worst case, they compete in the middle of the East and maybe have some nice moments in the playoffs for the next 3-5 years.

It's not like we're talking about a team that has maxed out as a borderline playoff squad getting doused in the first round multiple years in a row.

[jambr380]

I don't know, they have such little room for error. An injury to any of their big time players and they would be in a lot of trouble, and a lot of them are getting older. We had injuries throughout the year and had the same number of wins as they had. We were then pretty decimated in the playoffs and lost Game 1 by a point and won two others.

With the current youth movement in the East, it may now be best to cash in and give it another go. They went from 60 wins to 48 wins, why do we think they are definitely going to continue to be a playoff team - especially if they lose a guy like Bazemore and use all of their cap space on re-signing Horford.

It's a shame Horford doesn't have another year or two on his deal, as they could use him in a trade now, but it is true that they should be able to trade him next off-season. They just likely won't get as much if he continues his statistical decline.

Also, as you said, Pho, it's not like the Hawks are doing very well with fan support - would it really matter if they went with the youth movement?

[Moranis]

but none of that will make them a legit contender, so what is the point? 

Because not everybody can build a contender.

That's the truth.

Sure, the Hawks could blow it up and be terrible for who knows how long.

Or they could keep the two All-Star caliber big men they have, one of whom is coming off his best season yet, and keep winning 50ish games or more with a shot at winning at least a series in the playoffs.


For a team in a market like Atlanta, that's too good to just throw away.  If that team hangs out around 20-30 wins for half a decade, good luck building up your fanbase again.  It's already hard enough for them to get consistent fan support.

I think they have a much better chance of having a special season if they just hold onto Millsap and Horford, make some bold moves elsewhere on the roster, and see what Coach Bud can do with them.

Worst case, they compete in the middle of the East and maybe have some nice moments in the playoffs for the next 3-5 years.

It's not like we're talking about a team that has maxed out as a borderline playoff squad getting doused in the first round multiple years in a row.

Every team should be building to a contender (or be one).  There is no point in sports if you aren't a contender (Cavs, Warriors, Thunder, Spurs), don't have players that could be core members of a contender (Clippers, Raptors, Heat, Blazers, and then younger teams like the Wolves, Pistons, Bucks, Lakers, etc.), or doesn't have the assets to become either one (Celtics (thanks Brooklyn), Sixers, etc. you know teams that may not have a real core member but have the assets to acquire one if they don't). 

Sure not every team is a contender, but every team should be building to that or they are just wasting time.  There are a few teams, like the Hawks, that are just wasting time and delaying the steps necessary to being a contender.  If Boston didn't have all Brooklyn's picks it would be in the same boat and would need to make major changes, but thankfully Boston has Brooklyn's picks. 

[saltlover]

By a lot of metrics, the Hawks have a top ten player in Millsap and a top twenty player in Horford.  That is a significant talent base where a lucky free agent pickup plus a lucky draft pick is enough to give them a puncher's chance.  They are basically too good to blow it up.

I'm not really impressed by Schroeder, though.

I'd love to see Durant join them. I think that would be a really fun team.

PG: Teague, Schroeder
SG: Bazemore, Korver
SF: Durant, Thabo
PF: Millsap, Scott
 C: Horford, Muscala

I don't know why Durant isn't looking hard at Atlanta. They have everything place. He has two highly skilled big men. A high quality PG. A deep bench. A terrific coaching staff. A team that can stretch the floor and give him spacing. A strong defensive unit. Durant would be the unquestioned #1 guy on the team. Instant Championship caliber team.

Plus, taking a team that hasn't ever won an NBA title in Atlanta. Has had limited post-season success. Never to the finals. Only once conference finals. Taking a team like that and leading them to a title would be a major achievement. Much more so than jumping on the back of some other title winning squad (GSW, SAS).

It would be tough to keep Bazemore and add Durant.  They only have early Bird rights, which limits what they can offer him if they want to go over the cap to keep him.  I think Bazemore will get an offer exceeding that level this summer.

But:

Teague, Schroder
Korver, Hardaway
Durant, Sefalosha
Horford, Scott
Milsap, Muscala (or Tavares)

is a team that can really challenge Cleveland.

Though they'd possibly challenge Cleveland (I still think Cleveland would beat them), that's an older team with significant past injury issues to worry about. How long is the window for that team when you have three 30+ year old starters that should start slowing down any time within the next year or two? I just think Durant has better options out there than this.

I'm with Moranis on this - I think they should blow it up, especially if Horford leaves. Hell, recreate that front line in Boston. If Durant doesn't come here, Horford plus Milsap would be a significant addition, especially if you could trade for Butler, too.

Its not like Coeveland isn't getting older too.  LeBron is 32 next year, and has a ton of miles on him.  I'm not sure that Hawks team can beat the Cavs, but I'm not sure they can't.  It's not so old that it's going to fall apart tomorrow -- Korver's 35, but his game is run around and shoot when open -- Reggie Miller pulled off that role until he was 39, and Ray Allen until 38.  Korver could have 3 seasons left in him.  Everyone else is generally in the plateau of their careers, except Schroder, who's trending upwards.

You can't just press a button and magically expect that all those draft picks you make will pan out, and that in 4-5 years you'll be rolling.  I'd rather be 1B in the conference, ready for the opportunity if 1A falters, than team 12 in the conference just watching the years slip away.  Especially if my team is already 22nd or 23rd in attendance.