2018-19 Atlanta Hawks: An Attempt to Recapture the Fan Base

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 21: Trae Young poses for a photo after being selected fifth overall at the 2018 NBA Draft on June 21, 2018 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Stephen Pellegrino/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 21: Trae Young poses for a photo after being selected fifth overall at the 2018 NBA Draft on June 21, 2018 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Stephen Pellegrino/NBAE via Getty Images)
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BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 21: Trae Young (Photo by Stephen Pellegrino/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 21: Trae Young (Photo by Stephen Pellegrino/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Atlanta Hawks have had an active and fascinating offseason that has led to multiple transactions and changes both on and off the court.

With the Hawks leaning ponderously on the “treadmill of mediocrity” for the past few years – even when they did win 60 games in the 2014-15 season – the team needed desperately needed a reset.

The Hawks’ rebuild could’ve been jump-started by trading away Al Horford and Paul Millsap at consecutive trade deadlines, but the shortsightedness of Coach/GM Mike Budenholzer won out in order to win more in the short-term.

Now with a fully unified front office and coaching staff looking towards a complete, top-to-bottom rebuild, the Hawks can fully commit to making the changes necessary to draw back in the large crowds that came to see the team during the early portion and heyday of the 10-straight-playoff-apperances Atlanta Hawks.

Throughout this offseason, the Hawks have made multiple moves to try and improve attendance (which was dead last in the league in 2017-18), and not just via player transactions.

We’ve outlined 3 Ways in which the 2018-19 season is an attempt by the Atlanta Hawks franchise to recapture its fan base, as “the NBA is better when the Hawks are good.” (Pardon the minor re-write of a trite basketball axiom regarding the Knicks and Lakers).