A combination of promising young talent and lucrative cap space could persuade top-level players to consider the Hawks this summer in free agency, as star guard Trae Young explained in an interview with Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype this week.
“Oh, I definitely think this is going to be a big spot that free agents look at,” Young said. “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.”
Sam Amick of The Athletic reported two weeks ago that the Hawks plan to be aggressive in pursuing free agent meetings this offseason. Atlanta sports a talented young core of Young, John Collins and Kevin Huerter, with the team expected to have roughly $41MM of cap space to work with in July.
In addition to its young core, the club is armed with a new head coach in Lloyd Pierce, an upgraded arena and revamped practice facilities. Among the free agents set to be available: Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler, Klay Thompson, Khris Middleton and DeMarcus Cousins.
As for Young, he’s improved rapidly since his first month in the NBA, cementing himself as one of the top young players in the league at just 20 years of age. He held per-game averages of 23.3 points, 9.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds during the month of February.
“I think the game is starting to really slow down for me,” Young told Kennedy. “Now, I’ve kind of seen a little bit of everything in terms of what teams are throwing at me and how defenses are trying to guard me. Also, I’ve seen most teams multiple times; in some cases, it’s my second or third time playing against a certain team.
“I know more about who I’m playing against too. I feel like I’m getting more used to the NBA game, the style, as well. I think I’m starting to feel more comfortable. I’m much more comfortable than I was during that first month, when I was shooting 19 percent from three. That was just… terrible.”
I hope they get Zion first of all. Trae and Zion teaming up for the next ten years would be awesome for the nba. All the other lottery bound teams are too mishandled to deserve a player like Zion
Chicago’s rebuild has been the same length and I would argue they have handled their rebuild atleast as well.
Atlanta gets the 4th pick this year.
Would you trade this years pick, Dallas pick, and next years for Zion?
I feel Barrett and Morant are in that value range you’d definitely say no.
But would you do that trade even if they had the second pick?
No.
Zion is far from a “LeBron-type” can’t miss prospect. He is a very good player, and definitely the best player in this draft, but I don’t think he’s franchise changing. No way do you give up three potential top 10 picks for him.
philly traded a lottery pick to move-up one spot for fultz, celtics then drafted tatum
The best get would probably be Boogie, well the best realistic get because Durant and Kawhi ain’t coming. Middleton might be a very good fit here as well.
They gotta go for the second tier imo. Cousins is possible but I don’t think he fits their timeline. They should throw an offer sheet at Oubre or Lyles of maybe even Dlo who could play the 2 there. BKN would match but DEN and PHX might not. Trae is last among guards in defensive rpm and Collins is second to last in defensive rpm among forwards. They could use guys like Trevor Ariza, Pat Beverley and Tyson Chandler. Some vets who play good D and have some playoff experience. Then just draft well.
41 mil seems like not enough money to be having these ambitions. That’s only enough money for one major free agent, and they still wouldn’t be serious contenders.
For the season they are 22-45. Since the start of the calendar year, they are 11-20. Since February 1, 6-11. That isn’t a team that has been “playing well lately”. The win percentage is between 30% and 36% in all three data points.
If anything I’d say they’ve been remarkably consistent at being awful.
The guy is delusional! Atlanta is certainly not a destination, neither the market, nor the city nor the current squat gets any of the top FA excited. I mean, sure, they can overpay on some 3rd tier guy (is Dwight Howard available?) but I’d advise them to keep rebuilding and maybe even taking another salary dump or two to add assets
it’s not a market I agree, but not a destination? I don’t agree, Atlanta is a great city. Plus many players in all leagues live here and visit here in offseason…which doesnt make sense because Atlanta cant attract front line free agents for whatever reason
Again Shaw pulls out that list of FAs that the Hawks are unlikely to get. This gets fans riled up for nothing. If one of those guys wants to pull an upset with his choice, the Pacers for instance would be a better one, being good right now.
Though like I said, Cousins is possible with a max offer.
I haven’t seen Young enough to know if he is even a draw.
Ain’t nobody going to Atlanta.. not unless they get Zion and he is the truth. Even then I doubt it. Trash franchise will continue to be trash..
damn salty much lol?!?! New ownership is proving to not be trash, they’re invested and want to see them win…unlike Braves ownership
Kind of like Golden State 10 years ago…
0% chance without overpaying some RFA.
I don’t see any of the top tier FA’s signing in Atlanta( KD, Kawhi, Butler), but I definitely could see them landing Khris Middleton.
A Young, Huerter, Middleton, Zion, Collins starring lineup would be entertaining as hell.
That’s assuming they land the 1 pick
Why would Middleton leave? Bucks can match whatever.
Trae Young has been such a beast this season, such a shame that Doncic & Ayton have been sooo good this year, as he would have been a deserving ROY winner. For example he has been way better than JT or Mitchell last year, Brogdon the year before or Wiggs the one before, of the last 3 years the only better rookies have been Simmons & Embiid. Really like Trae, he is way better than advertised in college, he is gonna be a real star in the league.