Following a disappointing 4-1 first-round playoff loss to the Heat, the Hawks could undergo significant roster overhaul, predicts Chris Kirshner of The Athletic. In a new piece, Kirshner assesses who among Atlanta’s current personnel may not return for the 2022/23 NBA season.
“Yes, I think we should have tried to get better rather than bring back what we had,” team owner Tony Ressler recently said of the Hawks’ 2021 offseason team building. “That won’t happen again. It was a mistake, in my opinion at least.”
Among the priciest players, Kirshner considers forwards John Collins, De’Andre Hunter, and Danilo Gallinari, plus unrestricted free agents Gorgui Dieng and Lou Williams, unlikely to return to the Hawks next year.
There’s more out of the Southeast Division:
- Wizards GM Tommy Sheppard had plenty of thoughts regarding the lottery-bound team’s preparation for the 2022 NBA draft, including the NBA Combine in Chicago this week, writes Jackson Filyo of Wizards.com. Washington will have the No. 10 pick this year. “The combine is a continuation of the work we have already done,” Sheppard said. “We have been evaluating some of these players since they were 14 or 15 years old… At the combine, you want to see their character, you want to see how they react, how they respond to coaching. You want to see how they respond to different environments.”
- Now that the Hornets know they will be drafting near the end of the 2022 lottery with the No. 13 pick, Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer takes stock of four candidates worth considering: Duke center Mark Williams, Wisconsin small forward Johnny Davis, Memphis center Jalen Duren, and LSU forward Tari Eason. Boone adds that the Hornets will also have the No. 15 pick in the draft as a result of their sign-and-trade deal that landed Devonte’ Graham with the Pelicans. Boone notes that one or both of those selections could be bundled into a trade for a veteran.
- The Magic have landed the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft for the first time since 2004, and the fourth time in the franchise’s history. Orlando has an opportunity to add one of the top young prospects entering the draft this season, per Khobi Price of the Orlando Sentinel. “I’m so happy for our fans tonight,” president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman said. “They really stuck with us and nights like this help when you can show the fruits of why you go through these phases and cycles. Hopefully, they’re really excited by this. We’re going to add another good young player to our talent base.”
Lol only way we’re losing John & Dre this summer is if we’re getting Zion in return & even Zion wouldn’t be enough tbh
Sorta mind boggling that anyone would consider Dre as unlikely to return. We’re highly invested in him, he’s arguably our best defender, he’s our 3rd leading scorer, we have no one on the roster that could remotely replace him & his play was literally our only bright spot from the playoffs just now. I feel like it’s extremely unlikely he gets traded… same with John tbh. It’s a lil easier to see a scenario where he gets traded but that scenario is much closer to doubtful than likely. I love Jalen Johnson but he’s obv not ready to start for a title contender, our head coach didn’t even think he’s ready for mins yet last season. So in any John Collins trade we’d be looking to upgrade at the 4. There’s maybe 5 guys at his position that are better than him. Trading John for 1 of those guys has to be seen as unlikely. Keeping John & giving him the ball more seems like the much easier & better outcome
A Title Contender ….. ????
“Yes, I think we should have tried to get better rather than bring back what we had,” -team owner Tony Ressler.
This is story of the hawks imo.
When they’re good. They stop. As if they want to risk nothing.
Let horford leave for nothing. Wouldn’t trade Millsap or Carrol. Bud wanted to keep the same team together.
backup pg help needed for Trae for 2 years. They finally got that but now backup pg is a FA. Needed a premium wing for trae to play with since the start. Traes usage is high. They put their chips into reddish?
I do agree that it can’t be Hunter thats traded. He’s one of the few who plays defense. Trae is a liability on defense.
Trading for gobert makes little sense to me also. They need a sg or sf who can create their own shot. Gobert helps defense but does nothing for their Trae reliant offense.
Gallinari isn’t a free agent.
22-23 contract isn’t fully guaranteed for Gallinari I think is what they meant. I’m shocked by Hunter too. Portland would be a good landing spot
I think the Hawks have serious conversations about Gobert for Collins and Capela as well as a buy low on Ben Simmons for Gallinari (other roster moves need to be made for this). I don’t know that the would go after both, but I see them with Ben Simmons if they strike out on Gobert.
Nets are not giving up or giving away Ben. He’s here till end of contract. You can count on that.
How many years of KD will the Nets waste? If they find a taker, that isnt a straight up salary dump I think hes gone. And the Hawks seem to love Ben Simmons.
Why would Hornets want Duren. What have they done with Kai Jones ??
Jimmy with 41 tonight ……
Gm1 to Heat.
If I’m the hawks I’m calling the wizards and trying to make a deal for Beal. Beal and Young could make a great back court.
Did the Magic GM really just go “this lottery pick is exactly what we planned for when we built an awful team 10 years ago”
Now he will keep talking about how he may trade it. So rare to happen, but Houston’s Stone has already started.
Magic seeing the success of the Cavs making the playoffs and will be like, yes 6 centers it is.
The Magic have mad good moves since the went rebuild. IMO. Fultz and Isaac added to what they have plus the 1 pick. They are on the move.
ATL situation is likely being misreported. I doubt Hunter’s name, in particular, was put out there in connection with upgrading the team. He’s their most complete player, and the one with the most premium skill set, and the most untapped upside. ATL still has a longer term payroll issue, and maybe his name was included as one of their existing players needing a big $$ slot. If he’s available, there will be interest.
Atl has zero payroll issues
It’s math fanboy. Can’t be disputed.