Soaring Down South
Fansided

Atlanta Hawks Swinging for the Free Agency Fences

By Collin Huguley

Apr 6, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) brings the ball up court as Dallas Mavericks center Zaza Pachulia (27) defends during the second half at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeat the Rockets 88-86. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) brings the ball up court as Dallas Mavericks center Zaza Pachulia (27) defends during the second half at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeat the Rockets 88-86. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

In a refreshing change of pace, the Atlanta Hawks are vigorously pursuing big name free agents in this off-season. Led by a new ownership group, the organization is looking to take the daunting step from good team to championship contender.

The Atlanta Hawks have been criticized by their fans, and even around the league, for not targeting big name free agents and sticking to the status-quo. But to the joy of Hawks fans, those days are over. With a fresh new ownership group led by Tony Ressler, the Hawks have set their sights on, perhaps, the two biggest names that are available on the open market. But being interested is not enough to land a big name, you must have a great situation to offer to the player. That is now something that the Atlanta Hawks can offer a star player.

As reported today by ESPN, the Hawks have secured a face-to-face meeting with Dwight Howard when free agency begins on July 1st. This is a big step for the franchise when it comes to potentially landing the big fish in free agency.

The reports of the Hawks’ interest in Howard indicate that the team is interested in acquiring him while also re-signing Al Horford in order to form an absolutely loaded front court that would also feature Paul Millsap. This would create a very interesting, and potentially problematic, logjam but the talent there is unquestioned. That rotation would feature a pure power style with Howard and the inside-outside finesse styles of Millsap and Horford. That would give the Hawks maximum lineup flexibility and the most formidable front court in the Eastern Conference.

Also, Howard is an Atlanta native and could rebuild his image drastically by winning in his hometown in similar fashion to LeBron James. As you can tell, I am absolutely pro-Dwight for the Atlanta Hawks, as he would provide physicality that the team doesn’t currently have and it is exciting to see that the Hawks’ front office sees that, as well.

In a much more far-fetched pipe dream, ESPN’s Marc Stein reported that the Hawks are pushing to get a meeting with free agency’s biggest prize, Kevin Durant. While merely getting a meeting seems unlikely, this move shows that the Hawks are acknowledging that they need another big piece in order to become championship contenders.

This has to been exciting for Hawks fans, as the team seemed so content for many years to dwell in the middle of the Eastern Conference playoff standings and accepting second round eliminations. But under the new regime, lead by coach Mike Budenholzer, the Hawks have made a lot of progress in establishing a system and a culture.

We saw a team without a “superstar” win 60 games in the 2014-2015 season and reach the Eastern Conference Finals. This has to be appealing to players like Durant and Howard, and unselfish style of play combined with a big market could reel a player like Durant to Atlanta. The Hawks also offer great secondary stars to surround the big guy with in guys like Millsap and Horford (if he is retained), a sharpshooter Kyle Korver, and a dynamic young point guard in Dennis Schroder. While Durant might be a long shot, simply getting a meeting with him could open his eyes to the great situation that Atlanta has to offer and show that the Hawks would bee an instant title contender with him on the roster.

While the Hawks chase huge names like Durant and Howard, they also are trying to re-sign their own in Horford and Kent Bazemore. This offseason approach proves to be very intriguing and here is why. If the Hawks miss on both big names, they are content to stay the course for another year and then try again for big names next off-season. They are not content to overpay role-players.

While I believe landing Howard is VERY realistic, scoring Durant is the dream of all dreams. The Hawks are slowly becoming big game hunters in free agency under new ownership. They will be active year after year, and appear to be willing to spend for a championship roster.

This ownership team and their attitude is exactly what the Hawks needed. As they can now sell a great coach, roster, system, and city to potential free agents. Fasten your seat belts, Atlanta. This off-season could be a wild one.