Soaring Down South
Fansided

Kevin Love Extension is a Win for the Atlanta Hawks

By Chris Guest

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 06: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers runs down court against the Golden State Warriors during Game Three of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 6, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 06: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers runs down court against the Golden State Warriors during Game Three of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 6, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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After pulling off a terrific trade for Dennis Schröder and signing Alex Len to a manageable deal, it seemed as if the Atlanta Hawks were finished making moves in the 2018 offseason.

Both of those were good moves, but sometimes, when a franchise is riding a hot streak, they just stay hot (just look at the Golden State Warriors). Sometime a team doesn’t even have to make a move to get better too – they can just let another team do it for them.

That’s exactly what happened to the Hawks when it was announced today that Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers was re-signing on a mammoth extension with the team – even with the departure of the greatest player in franchise history (maybe any franchise): LeBron James.

With that move, the Cavs are likely to return a vaguely similar team to the court that they trotted out last year, just without the transcendent talent of The King in the fold.

With Love re-signing, the Atlanta Hawks are also in a beautiful position going forward.

The Hawks are owners of a Top 10-protected 2019 draft pick from the Cavs, which is very likely to convey this offseason now that Love has returned to the team.

The East is looking about as weak as it was last season – though perhaps a bit stronger with Kawhi Leonard on the Raptors. There is a good chance that the Cavs can make it into the playoffs as a lower seed, which would allow the Hawks to nab a pick somewhere in the 14 to 30 range.

There is also the distinct possibility that the Cavs don’t make the playoffs, even with Love in the fold, but he might be good enough to push them out of the realm of keeping their top-10 protected pick.

Either way, Kevin Love returning to the Cavaliers is a huge win for the Hawks, who are looking to acquire as many draft picks as possible in order to grow organically with homegrown talent through the draft.

Next: Hawks Projected Starting Lineup for 18-19 Season

They started very well in 2017 and 2018, so let’s hope that good luck and solid scouting continues through to 2019.

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