Free agency started with a frenzy. Teams reshuffling and retooling after the grind of the long season. The Atlanta Hawks’ moves have gone under the radar but nonetheless have been very impressive with the moves they have been made thus far.
Coming off their fantastic Eastern Finals run, the Hawks went into a very uncertain offseason. The biggest question mark of free agency was the future of John Collins. He went into the offseason a free agent, albeit a restricted one, but a free agent all the same.
Following up to the start of free agency there were plenty of rumors swirling around Collins and his possible destinations. Among the interested were the Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, and Miami Heat were all mentioned as possible suitors.
The Atlanta Hawks made the right move keeping John Collins
Atlanta quickly doused any rumors of Collins leaving the Hawks when the Hawks locked Collins down to a five-year, 125-million dollar contract, with a player option after the fourth year. per Woj of ESPN.
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Arguably, the Collins news was the biggest news around the Hawks offseason. A midseason trade that landed the hometown-hero Lou Williams in Atlanta was a big shakeup that helped propel the Hawks on their long postseason run.
Williams was instant offense when coming off the bench in the playoffs, even carrying the Hawks to wins when Trae Young was missing after a foot injury. Williams, who was considering retirement during the season, signed a one-year deal to return to the team per Shams of the Athletic. This deal is another under-the-radar move but a move that will make a big difference to the Hawks next season.
Despite the importance of the two aforementioned moves, the Hawks made one move a priority over the Collins and Williams deals. The Hawks kicked off free agency with a massive splash by locking down their young superstar, Trae Young to a five-year $207 million dollar max deal, if he makes an All-NBA team or becomes the MVP.
Young has improved as the Hawks have emerged from their rebuild. After this postseason run, Young solidified himself as an undeniable superstar in the NBA. By signing him to this max extension, the Hawks stamped themselves as contenders in the East for the coming years.
The Hawks’ run took the entire NBA by surprise but also put the Eastern Conference on notice to the newest contenders. Led by Trae, the Hawks arguably have the best young core in the NBA with Collins, De’Andre Hunter, Cam Reddish, and a slew of other guys under 25. Throw in some veteran presence like Williams and Danilo Gallinari, the Hawks are going to be a threat to any team in the East this season.