The Ringer, a sports, culture and media outlet, has offered up the best case and worst case for the Atlanta Hawks following an action-packed offseason.
The Atlanta Hawks are coming off their worst season in 10 years, which also marks the last time the team missed the playoffs.
While not a shocking occurrence, it still proves that relevancy is a fickle and foul temptress in the NBA.
The Ringer led off its coverage of every NBA team’s “best case, worst case” scenario in order of predicted record. Unsurprisingly, the Hawks were bottom of the list (or top of the list, if you’re feeling optimistic).
While it’s certainly fashionable to claim the Atlanta Hawks as the worst team in the league, Danny Chau, the writer of the piece, brings the seismic Trae Young/Luka Doncic trade to the forefront of the Atlanta Hawks best case/worst case for the upcoming season… which feels like it misses the point somewhat.
Sure, the debate between Luka Doncic and Trae Young will rage on for years to come in Atlanta, especially if Doncic’s immense European seasoning and MVP-caliber play abroad translates more quickly to wins and production at the NBA level.
Even here at SDS there were big debates about which player was better in both the short- and long-term.
Doncic might have the more proven production, but Young already seems to have that gravitas and charisma that comes with being a big star in the NBA. He’s already rubbing shoulders with the big guns and has worked out with multiple huge stars this offseason (including reigning MVP James Harden and the Point God, Chris Paul).
Beyond that, Young’s offensive ceiling is likely just as high as Doncic’s if not even a bit higher due to his incredible gravity as a deep threat and passer.
If a player is already getting double-teamed in Summer League, you might have a special player on your hands.
Atlanta Hawks General Manager Travis Schlenk certainly hopes so, as do all Hawks fans. While a Doncic/Young debate might never end throughout the entirety of their NBA careers, perhaps it’s a bit too early to call Doncic a “notable subtraction” to the team… since the only thing tying him to the Hawks is the photo of him in a branded snapback.
Keep it locked to Soaring Down South for all your Atlanta Hawks news and updates as training camp, the preseason and the regular season will be here before you know it.