21 Questions the Atlanta Hawks Must Answer this Offseason

21 questions the Atlanta Hawks must answer this offseason.

I feel like I keep saying it, but there’s no downplaying that this is an incredibly important offseason for the Atlanta Hawks.

If the front office can nail it, the team will finally be out of the bottom of the standings and competing in the postseason. But that, of course, is easier said than done.

Instead of rehashing the Hawks’ options once again, let’s play a game of 21 questions. I’ve compiled the 21 top questions the Atlanta Hawks have to answer this off-season and ranked them in order of importance below. ( I know that’s not how the actual 21 questions game works, just bear with me).

21 Questions the Atlanta Hawks must answer this offseason:

1. What to do with John Collins?

John Collins has not been shy about his desire to receive a max payday, something the Hawks will soon be able to offer him. Will they do it? If they don’t, will they trade him? For who?

2. Draft for need or best player available?

Many will say they should go with the best player available, but the Hawks are set at point guard and stacked at center so it’s hard to justify taking someone like James Wiseman or Killian Hayes if wings like Isaac Okoro, Devin Vassell, and/or Deni Avdija are on the board. More on them later.

3. Does Trae Young need a backup?

Trae Young averaged 35.3 minutes per game in 2019-20 and will likely be among the minutes played leaders again next season. Leaving just a handful of minutes for a reserve, is it worth spending cap space or using a high draft pick to find a backup?

4. Is De’Andre Hunter starting next season?

It May not seem like a big deal, but if the Atlanta Hawks want to use Hunter as a starter once again, it’ll influence their decision making when it comes to adding forwards.

5. Is Isaac Okoro or Devin Vassell the best 3-and-D prospect?

An elite level 3-and-D player is exactly what the Hawks next, and luckily there are two matching prospects who should be available at sixth overall. Which should they take if they’re both on the board?

6. Should they trade down?

It’s a very deep draft. They could able to slide down a handful of spots and get a solid prospect and a future asset.

7. Should they trade up?

Unless they get a great deal, there’s no top-tier name that is worth trading up for. (No.)

8. Will they re-sign Jeff Teague?

Could be a cheap veteran signing to backup Trae. See question 3.

9. Will they re-sign DeAndre’ Bembry?

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If they take a wing in the draft, Bembry will almost certainly be somewhere else but could be back if they draft a point guard or big man.

10. Is Davis Bertans worth a big payday?

The Hawks are apparently interested in the sharp-shooting forward who would likely work as a backup to John Collins. Perhaps the best free agent available, he could cost more than $15 million per year.

11. Is anyone worth a big payday?

In a weak free agency class, the Hawks’ best option to add a star will likely be via a trade.

12. Who should (if anyone) should be on the trade block?

If they do pull off a trade for a big-name player, who gets shipped off? A high profile trade would almost certainly cost them one (or more) of Cam Reddish, De’Andre Hunter, and Kevin Huerter.

13. Is Clint Capela the answer at center?

Acquired in February, Capela still hasn’t suited up for the Hawks. If they’re able to get some scrimmages in the Orlando bubble (as rumored), Atlanta could access how he fits with Young, Collins, and the rest of the young core.

14. Will GM Travis Schlenk bring back his project?

Hawks GM Travis Schlenk revealed that he has been high on Skal Labissière, another player they acquired at the deadline but did not play for the team.

Will be bringing him back? While he even get playing time he if does?

15. Will other free agents-to-be return?

In addition to the previously mentioned, Treveon Graham and Damian Jones will also be free agents. With plenty of big men, Jones will likely not be back, while Graham could be a cheap, defensive-minded wing to bring back. I already made the case for the Hawks to do so.

16. How badly do they want to fix their defense?

Do they want to improve their defense? Or go all-in on offense? This will change who they target in the draft and free agency (Davis Bertans does not help them defensively).

17. Do they offer New Orleans a sign-and-trade for Brandon Ingram?

A swing for the fences move, the Atlanta Hawks could try and acquire Brandon Ingram via a sign and trade. The restricted free agent has so much value, the Hawks would have to give up quite a bit just to have the honors to pay Ingram the max.

18. Do they add a sturdy veteran?

With Vince Carter gone, the team is looking younger than ever, and they could value an end-of-the-bench vet, and there are a few solid options available to sign.

19. Will they take another rim-running forward with the 6th pick?

John Collins is already among the best rim-runners in the league, but both Onyeka Okongwu and Obi Toppin could be available 6th overall. Okongwu, who also brings elite defensive versatility, could be very enticing.

20. Will they try to steal any other restricted free agents?

Outside of Brandon Ingram, there are a few other restricted free agents the Hawks could try and steal away including Kris Dunn, Torrey Craig, and De’Anthony Melton.

21. Will they join the Joe Harris bidding war?

Like Bertans, there is expected to be a bidding war for fellow sharpshooter Joe Harris. The Nets have been clear they want him back, but teams with cap space could pry him away. He led the league in three-point percentage just two seasons ago and would work well next to Trae.

What other questions will the Atlanta Hawks have to answer this fall?