Soaring Down South
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Atlanta Hawks: Power ranking the Southeast Division ahead of free agency

By Joshua Buckhalter

ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 20: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks controls the ball as Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat defendsduring the second half of an NBA game at State Farm Arena on February 20, 2020 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 Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 20: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks controls the ball as Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat defendsduring the second half of an NBA game at State Farm Arena on February 20, 2020 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 Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

Power ranking the Atlanta Hawks division: Miami is once again looking to make a splash in free agency

Just one year after reaching the NBA Finals and taking the eventual champion Lakers six games, Miami was swept in the first round by the eventual champion Bucks. There’s something to hang your hat on somewhere in there, but you can be sure Pat Riley doesn’t see it that way. The same goes for Jimmy Butler.

You can also be sure that Riley will stop at nothing — short of disrupting the culture, of course — to bring another championship to Miami.

His last big splash, trading a package including Kelly Olynyk and Avery Bradley for Victor Oladipo. The former first-round pick of the Magic only lasted four games in a Heat uniform before succumbing to another knee injury.

One thing Miami has that Washington doesn’t is a proper second star for Butler in Bam Adebayo. They’re also rumored to be in on both Kyle Lowry and Demar Derozan.

That would certainly be a tough group to deal with and could affect their standings on this list after they went just 6-6 against the Southeast last season.

Miami also has the ability to pivot entirely and go with a youth movement around Adebayo.

Tyler Herro, restricted free agent Duncan Robinson, KZ Okpala, and Precious Achiuwa present a decent foundation for attracting the next star looking to take their talents to South Beach.

That move is more likely to come next season if they strike out in free agency this offseason.

If there is a flaw in the Heat’s primary plan it’s that they’re banking on older players while our top two teams in the division are good now with younger, and perhaps deeper, rosters.

Don’t expect Miami to roll over but they will find the sledding much tougher next season.