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Grading The Atlanta Hawks Offseason Moves

By Colby Giacubeno

Dec 29, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Kent Bazemore (24) moves the ball over Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Kent Bazemore (24) moves the ball over Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Atlanta Hawks headed into the summer of 2016 with major question marks? How are they doing with their moves thus far?

Nov 1, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Kent Bazemore (24) talks with head coach Mike Budenholzer during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. Atlanta defeated Charlotte 94-92. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Kent Bazemore (24) talks with head coach Mike Budenholzer during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. Atlanta defeated Charlotte 94-92. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

The Atlanta Hawks entered the summer of 2016 with plenty of question marks. With two of their five starters becoming unrestricted free agents, there was a strong possibility that change was on the horizon.

The salary cap increase would give them a better chance of retaining Al Horford and Kent Bazemore, but it also meant other teams that other teams would be equipped financially to persuade them to take their talents elsewhere.

Finishing 48-34 in a tight race for third place in the Eastern Conference would usually be evaluated as a successful season, but the Hawks have been in this position for nine-straight seasons. Their aspirations are to become a realistic contender to challenge LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, an obstacle they’ve failed to overcome the past two seasons in the playoffs.

Would bringing back the same roster put them in any better of a position to dethrone The King of Cleveland? Probably not. Which means shake-up is needed.

Here are the grades of the Hawks’ offseason moves thus far.

Next: Trading Jeff Teague