With the Atlanta Hawks (along with the other 90 percent of the NBA) already into their offseason, the rest of us have largely been left to our own devices. Aside from the occasional workout announcement, it’s largely supposition and conjecture over what any team will do.
Spotrac.com has something for anyone who wants to get an even deeper look.
Their team manager tool (still in beta) lets you re-sign, renounce, or trade your team’s players as well as sign free agents from other teams all while following real NBA financial rules.
Atlanta Hawks fans can play the role of General Manager Travis Schlenk with Spotrac.com’s ‘team manager’ tool
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The first thing you see when you start is a big red banner letting you know if the team is below the minimum requirement for players.
Underneath that are all the players already under contract for next season.
But below that are free agents Tony Snell and Lou Williams (both unrestricted) as well as John Collins (restricted) and the Hawks other free agents.
With the Hawks stated goal of re-signing Collins this offseason, the first move was to renounce the cap holds for both Snell, Williams, and Solomon Hill; “freeing” a total of over $35 million.
Atlanta would still be operating over the cap once you lock in Collins with a max deal (which it very well might take to keep him) and the first-round pick.
Have you ever wanted to play NBA GM beyond just making trades in the trade machine? @spotrac has you covered with the NBA Team Manager tool! It's a beta version, but check it out and have some fun with options, signings, re-signings, trades and more!https://t.co/PVdQjU09D8
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) July 18, 2021
But the goal was to retain Collins, the pick, and other youngsters while avoiding the luxury tax, if possible. This gives the Hawks access to a mid-level exception worth about $9.5 million per Spotrac’s current data.
This way they can fill any remaining needs following the draft with a quality veteran or two, no matter what you do with reserves Brandon Goodwin, Nathan Knight, and Skylar Mays.
The biggest takeaway from this is that Travis Schlenk has put the Hawks in an incredible position. They can add a high-level role player in free agenncy if they feel that, in addition to whoever they draft, is all they need going into next season.
Or they can come up with a number of trade packages given their wealth of desirable contracts. We’ve gone over several such scenarios in which they upgrade the center position, but everything from trades to free agents (as well as every position except point guard Trae Young could likely be had.
Not that the Hawks are looking to give anyone away, but for the right price not many players are untouchable.
Sportrac.com’s ‘team manager’ tool is fun and educational. It also illustrates just how many directions this offseason can go for Schlenk and the Hawks, and most of them are good.