Might the Atlanta Hawks be able to land a big-name free agent this offseason?
With the Atlanta Hawks recently on an upswing and capturing national attention due to the play of the team’s young core, whether or not the Hawks can land a key free agent is definitely an important part of the team’s offseason plan.
Many believed that this rebuild would take a few years, and it likely still will, but if the team were able to get a meeting with a big free agent, perhaps the team’s time line could be accelerated considerably in the matter of only one offseason.
According to reporting from The Athletic’s Sam Amick, the optics of the Luka Doncic/Trae Young trade, which was immediately panned as one of the worst trades in NBA history, are now evening out a bit as Young has produced multiple scintillating performances in recent weeks – including a legendary 49-point, 16-assist masterclass that will live on in Atlanta Hawks lore for all time.
A recent piece by Amick outlines that the Atlanta Hawks’ thinking into the offseason has shifted somewhat, as well as what the team will prioritize with the $41 million they have in cap space next offseason.
Amick’s story claims that the team is “so bullish on the development” of Young, Kevin Huerter and John Collins, that the franchise might attempt to woo massive free agents – from Kevin Durant on down.
Now, that might immediately get fans salivating, even if KD isn’t the most beloved player in the NBA right now.
Clearly, Trae Young’s teammates enjoy playing with him, as he is already one of the league’s preeminent passers and his stats (3rd in total assists, 5th in assist rate and assists per game) betray that truth.
This offseason is going to be a fascinating one for the Atlanta Hawks, especially with a very real chance at landing the number one pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, which is to say: Zion Williamson.
Stay tuned to Soaring Down South as we begin to explore the offseason of the Atlanta Hawks with only 19 games left in the regular season.