Photo Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images.
Earlier today, I decided to play NBA 2K23, specifically the MyLeague mode. While I typically rebuild a bad team like the Washington Wizards or Charlotte Hornets, I decided to rebuild the Atlanta Hawks, and the results after the first season amazed me! The Hawks secured the first seed and won the NBA championship despite making any significant adjustments to the roster other than signing T.J. Warren. While NBA 2K is not the most accurate depiction of basketball predictions, it was interesting that 2K in this rebuild chose a team as average as the Atlanta Hawks to win it all. This rebuild inspired me to write this article as the Hawks, in the last few years, have shown sparks of championship potential but have never reached that mark. However, two options could change the trajectory of the Atlanta Hawks this season.
It feels like eons ago that Trae Young led the Atlanta Hawks to the conference finals when, in actuality, it has only been two years since the Hawks reached that feat. Since then, the Hawks have barely made it to the playoffs and have been a disappointing organization, given the expectations that most fans had after their remarkable playoff run in 2021. I viewed the Hawks as a future contender and believed the duo of John Collins and Trae Young had the potential to be the next Lob City Clippers after their unbelievable playoff run in 2021. Obviously, that never happened, and instead, Collins was traded to the Utah Jazz in exchange for an old Rudy Gay and meaningless draft picks. At one point, Collins averaged double-digit points and rebounds while solidifying himself as a reliable defender. The potential of Collins was special when he initially surfaced; however, he has turned out to be a glorified starter who still has the potential to be something special in the NBA.
Losing Collins was necessary for the Hawks as their chemistry on the court should be heightened this season. Having a player who feels that they deserve to receive more attention on offence despite having a noticeable regression every season is a positive loss, regardless of that player's potential. Collins can be a good player and has shown that he can produce All-Star numbers in the past, but mentality and overall fit matter more than skill when it comes to the functionality of most teams in the NBA.
The current Atlanta Hawks will always be in play-in conversations, but like most teams, the expectation is to win a championship. As of August 24, 2023, the Hawks are, at best, a sixth seed in the Eastern Conference with the potential of fostering one of the better back-courts in the NBA with Dejounte Murray and Trae Young. For the Hawks to avoid the play-in tournament this season and become a playoff lock, two options should be considered.
1. De’Andre Hunter becomes the third-option
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With John Collins out of the rotation, the position of a primary third option on the Atlanta Hawks has opened up. In the 2019 NBA draft, the Hawks drafted what they thought would be the next Jimmy Butler or Kawhi Leonard of the league, De’Andre Hunter. After four seasons, Hunter has turned out to be, at best, an average starting forward with flashes of potential but nothing near his draft-day comparisons of Leonard and Butler. Hunter has the ability and expectation to elevate his game to another level this season. With his recent contract extension and departure of Collins, Hunter is the logical option in receiving a more significant role on a team desperate for an upside. However, if Hunter does not improve, here is another alternative for what the Hawks could do to elevate their playoff goals this upcoming season.
2. Trade young assets for an All-Star
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Out of the young core of the Atlanta Hawks, the only player who has shown All-Star to Superstar potential is Trae Young. The rest of the young core are, at best, solid rotation players and nothing more. These players include (not including Kobe Bufkin) Oneyeka Okongwu, AJ Griffin, Jalen Johnson, and Saddiq Bey. While AJ Griffin has the most upside out of the bunch, the Hawks could trade some of their young core alongside Clint Capela or Bogdan Bogdanovic to add a different layer to a team that once made a conference finals. Here is an example of a realistic trade that could happen before or during the 2023-24 season.
Atlanta Hawks receive- DeMar DeRozan (1 yr $28.6M)
Chicago Bulls receive- AJ Griffin (3 yr $3.7M), Onyeka Okongwu (1 yr $8.1M), Bogdan Bogdanovic (4 yr $18.7M), 2024 unprotected first-round pick, 2024 second-round pick via Miami, and a 2026 second-round pick via Memphis.
DeRozan was an All-Star this past season and averaged an impressive 24.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.1 steals on 50% FG shooting. While his trade value could be higher, this trade package is fair for both teams for a few reasons. DeRozan is 33 years old on an expiring contract with no guarantee of returning to the Hawks if this trade were to happen. Because of this, there is a risk of trading for DeRozan; however, given what the Hawks would be trading away, it is worth the investment, especially on offence. The Bulls would receive two young assets for their future with Griffin and Okongwu. While Okongwu is on an expiring contract, he would be entering the 2024 NBA off-season as a restricted free agent. This means the Bulls have the luxury to extend him on a new contract or match any offer thrown at him.
Overall, this trade adds an offensive dimension to the Hawks. In contrast, the Bulls trade an expiring contract for solid young assets and a decent haul of draft picks. This would be a win-win trade for both teams.
Concluding Thoughts
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Two years ago, the Atlanta Hawks were in the discussion of legitimately winning an NBA championship. Since then, the Hawks have been mediocre at best, given their expectations after their 2021 playoff campaign. Despite the disappointment, the Hawks are still young and can change their trajectory for future seasons. The Hawks can still be a powerhouse in the Eastern Conference if certain changes happen sooner rather than later. While this team is young, they should not take advantage of it, especially when player loyalty is at an all-time low. Trae Young was in trade rumours at the start of the 2023 NBA off-season. While nothing solidified, the pressure for the Hawks to win now has never been more profound if they want to keep Young as their franchise player.
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