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Atlanta Hawks: Is Rebuilding the Best Option?

By Jake Martinsek

Mar 5, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) leans into Indiana Pacers forward Thaddeus Young (21) as he goes in for a shot during the first quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) leans into Indiana Pacers forward Thaddeus Young (21) as he goes in for a shot during the first quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mike Budenholzer
Apr 2, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer reacts with an official against the Brooklyn Nets in the third quarter at Barclays Center. The Nets won 91-82. Mandatory Credit: Nicole Sweet-USA TODAY Sports /

What Went Wrong?

Here is where the Hawks fatal error lies. While winning seven straight games may sound good, you have to consider the opponents. Over those seven games, the Hawks played a total of one good team.

Six of the games were against the Knicks, Pistons, Magic, Pelicans, Mavericks, and Nets. The average record of those teams is 29-48. The seventh game was an overtime thriller against the Spurs that everyone should classify as a “good” win. However, this win came with Korver still on the roster.

Beating up on teams you should be beating doesn’t mean you are a contender. Those are nearly all games the Hawks should be winning no matter what. Obviously, there may be other factors that influenced the decision, but these games obviously played a large part in the decision not to rebuild.

There are plenty of other reasons that kept the Hawks from blowing it up.

They committed nearly $40 million per year to Dwight Howard and Kent Bazemore combined this offseason. After spending money to contend and having an opportunity to make the playoffs for the 10th straight year, rebuilding would be a bold choice.

You also need to factor in the decisions that the new ownership group has made. Why does a tanking team need a new 50-million-dollar training facility? Does Phillips Arena need a nearly 200-million-dollar renovation if no one is going to show up to the games? Is the purchase of a D-League team necessary if you can develop young players on the actual team?

These are not the moves of a team that isn’t going to value winning above all else. These purchases were made with being the best team they possibly can in mind. The ownership group isn’t going to support entering a rebuild.

Sustained success has its place in the NBA, and the Hawks clearly value it. Building a team through free agency is just as viable a strategy as building through the draft. The teams that are attracting free agents usually aren’t in the midst of a full rebuild. They are usually teams that are considered good but could be great with one more piece needed.

That’s who the Hawks have tried to be for the last ten years. For whatever reason, this strategy hasn’t worked out for the Hawks. If the Hawks are going to continue striking out in free agency, a rebuild may be the only option.

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