As part of our offseason coverage, Soaring Down South is ranking each and every offseason transaction the Atlanta Hawks made.
After a slow start, the Atlanta Hawks kicked it into high gear and had one of the most action-packed and interesting offseasons in recent memory. Multiple trades and signings took place even after the NBA Draft, which was even more important for the Hawks in the long-term.
In our ongoing series of offseason reviews, it’s time to grade each move the Hawks made this offseason from draft picks to trades to free agency deals.
Next up is our final offseason review for the first move the Atlanta Hawks made this offseason: the hiring of former Philadelphia 76ers assistant coach Lloyd Pierce.
THE GRADE: B+
Pierce has said all the right things this offseason and also piloted the Hawks in Utah Summer League – something many first-year coaches are expected to do.
Clearly, the Hawks want someone who is used to rebuilding (Pierce was on the 76ers staff during the leanest years of The Process) as well as someone who is a players’ coach. With a young team whose major players, Trae Young, John Collins and Kevin Huerter, will be in their early 20s for the foreseeable future, Pierce should be able to guide these young Hawks to great heights – much like he did with the 76ers’ impressive crop of youngsters that have blossomed into All-Stars, MVP candidates and Rookies of the Year before our eyes.
Of course, at this point we have no idea what sort of system Pierce will run or what his rotations will like in-game. Our grade does not reflect that.
Instead, this grade is given for this hiring because Atlanta Hawks General Manager Travis Schlenk and Owner Tony Ressler clearly knew what direction they wanted to go with their coaching (i.e. someone who is comfortable with a rebuild), so they made their choice quickly and with very little drama.
If Pierce can be just as effective as his previous head coach, Brett Brown, he should be able to helm the team in the worst years as well as when the Hawks turn the corner and become a far better and more consistent team.
Through his efforts, let’s hope these young Atlanta Hawks can take flight in 2018-19 and beyond.
That concludes our Offseason Reviews, though keep an eye out for a wrap-up piece with an overall grade for the entirety of the team’s offseason. As always, keep it locked to Soaring Down South for all your Hawks news and reactions.