Soaring Down South
Fansided

Examining the Atlanta Hawks free agency transactions

By Daniel Hughes

Apr 18, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) (left) reacts with forward John Collins (20) before the game against the Indiana Pacers at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) (left) reacts with forward John Collins (20) before the game against the Indiana Pacers at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

The Atlanta Hawks are fresh off the back of one of their most successful seasons of the modern era. While many pundits and fans were quick to write the team off, Travis Schlenk and the rest of the Hawks front office have navigated their way through a rebuild that only took the team three years. Other teams have been doing it tough for a decade or more.

During this period, the organization made several correct decisions, offloading Dennis Schröder in order to pick up Trae Young in one of the most famous draft day trades of NBA history is only the tip of the iceberg. A starting line-up that was once cluttered with names such as Miles Plumlee, Ersan Ilyasova, and Alex Len has changed with John Collins, Clint Capela, and De’Andre Hunter becoming the anchors of one of the strongest young cores in the league.

Last season set the tone for what fans can expect of this new-look Hawks squad. The expectation could have been even higher if it wasn’t for Young unfortunately stepping on the foot of referee Sean Wright during the Eastern Conference Finals. Who knows what may have happened without this injury

The Atlanta Hawks started their offseason the right way

Signing Nate McMillan to a four-year contract was the first of a number of great moves the Hawks made. In his time as interim head coach, McMillan led his squad to a 27-11 record, finishing fifth in the Eastern conference and conquering two of the most hostile environments in the NBA.

For many young fans, this will be among the most exciting – and successful – seasons they have had the luxury of being a part of and a big reason for that was the toughness and belief McMillan instilled in the squad during his tenure. The four-year deal is well earned and music to the ears of Hawks fans around the world. Thankfully it was a sign of things to come as Atlanta has been busy.