Atlanta Hawks: Is Rebuilding the Best Option?
Is it time for the Atlanta Hawks to consider a rebuild?
On January 5th, it seemed like a full rebuild was in store for the Atlanta Hawks.
Long time fan favorite Kyle Korver was traded to the rival Cleveland Cavaliers for a future draft pick. This trade, in combination with a report that the Hawks were listening to offers for All-Star Paul Millsap, signaled the end of this team as we knew it.
Sources: Atlanta discussed Korver parameters with a few contenders, but Cavs stepped up with first-round pick. On deck: Paul Millsap.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 6, 2017
A rebuild made sense for the Hawks. After a 9-2 start, the Hawks fell to 15-16, and the fact that they couldn’t compete for a title became evident. Moving aging, soon-to-be free agents Korver and Millsap could net some real assets for the Hawks’ future.
However, something unexpected happened after the Korver trade.
The Hawks just kept winning. The Hawks would go on to win their next five games after trading him. Having already won the two previous games, the Hawks win streak reached seven games.
It seems impossible for a seven-game win streak to be a bad thing, but for the Hawks it was.
This win streak appeared to convince the front office that the Hawks could compete in the playoffs. On January 9th, only four days after he was put on the market, Hawks GM Wes Wilcox stopped listening to offers for Millsap.
Sources: Atlanta GM Wes Wilcox has started informing teams today that Paul Millsap is no longer on the trade market.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 9, 2017