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NBA Free Agency: LeBron James To Lakers Might Speed Up Hawks Rebuild

By Zackery Rogers

ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 25: Omari Spellman #6, Trae Young #11 and Kevin Huerter #1 of the Atlanta Hawks pose for a portrait after an introductory press conference on June 25, 2018 at Emory Healthcare Courts in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 25: Omari Spellman #6, Trae Young #11 and Kevin Huerter #1 of the Atlanta Hawks pose for a portrait after an introductory press conference on June 25, 2018 at Emory Healthcare Courts in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – MARCH 6: John Collins #20 (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Time to Develop an Identity

All throughout the league teams are trying to adapt to small ball. In order to win you have to be able to shoot the three, play defense and score easy buckets in transition. With the hiring of former Philadelphia 76ers assistant coach Lloyd Pierce, the team will be able to grow together.

Prior to taking the job in Atlanta Schlenk worked with the Warriors for 13 years. If you think about it, the former Golden State assistant GM is taking similar steps to rebuild the Hawks. Golden State drafted Stephen Curry in 2009 despite the lanky guard’s struggle to stay healthy.

After drafting Curry, the team went on to draft Thompson in 2011 and Draymond Green in 2012. The following year the Warriors signed Andre Iguodala who is arguably the glue that holds the team together to this day.

At this point in time, the Hawks have a few years to go before we can start talking about a potential dynasty. However, the franchise is taking all the right steps to become relevant again in the NBA.

Schlenk has done a great job of building a foundation by hiring a new coach and drafting young talent. Not to mention he has experimented with the NBA G-League and the effectiveness of two-way contracts. At the end of the 2017-18 season, the team finished 15th in three-point shooting at 36 percent.

Pierce will help the team improve on the defensive side of the ball. Last season the team finished 23rd in the league in OPG. While coaching under Brett Brown the 76ers finished 11th in the league in OPG. It’s safe to say that Pierce will challenge his team to embrace the defensive end of the floor.

Next: Would Zach LaVine Fit Well on the Hawks?

Will the Hawks make any noise in free agency?

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