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Atlanta Hawks: Don’t overreact to recent comments from ownership

By Joshua Buckhalter

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 29: Owner Tony Ressler of the Atlanta Hawks looks on before Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks at State Farm Arena on June 29, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 29: Owner Tony Ressler of the Atlanta Hawks looks on before Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks at State Farm Arena on June 29, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Hawks fans have had a wild ride the past several months. They started out the gates hot but quickly fell behind the eight-ball. Nate McMillan took over as head coach and righted the ship. John Collins called out Trae Young in a move that could have blown the season up but didn’t.

All of that culminated in an Eastern Conference Finals berth.

Imagine their surprise, then, when they saw headlines on Thursday claiming Hawks owner Antony Ressling said he was looking to break the team up to avoid the luxury tax.

This is just nonsense, both literally and in theory given what we’ve seen already.

Atlanta Hawks owner Antony Ressler sounded like a man with a plan for his team. One that doesn’t include overpaying players

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In a wide-ranging interview with The Athletic, Ressler touched on a number of topics, including the hopes that the organization would be able to come to amicable terms with John Collins, a pending restricted free agent, as he looks to cash in after betting on himself.

That combined with Ressler saying the Hawks would likely not be able to keep this group together is what some outlets latched onto and suddenly it was a five-alarm fire.

But with a quick look at the contracts of Atlanta’s roster and an understanding of NBA economics, it becomes clear that this was in fact a rare moment of clarity and honesty by the owner of a professional sports team.

Aside from Collins, the Hawks have Kevin Huerter who is eligible for a rookie extension, De’Andre Hunter will be next season.

They also have high-priced vets in Bogdan Bogdanovic, Clint Capela, and Danilo Gallinari..

"“It’s complicated, of course, because what we’re trying to convince people is we’re building something, but let’s not kid ourselves, our job is to run a good business,” Ressler said via Chris Kirschner/The Athletic before adding, “I’m not sure we’re going to be able to keep every single player that we want to keep. Pretty good bet, pretty good assumption we will not.”"

That can read like an owner who can’t wait to lower his bill. But Ressler went on to say his only fear in regards to the luxury tax is “paying the tax and not being a good team”.

Head Coach Nate McMillan also spoke on him, Ressler, and General Manager Travis Schlenk being in lock-step on improving this team. They understand they can’t stand pat.

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When viewed in their totality, the words sound more or less directed at Collins’s situation than the team as a whole. So, if fans must continue fretting, let it be over the increasingly likely possibility Collins is playing elsewhere. Even then, though, it sounds like that would only be in favor of an upgrade if Ressler has his way.

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