Now that the NBA draft has come and gone, the Atlanta Hawks are now focussed on changing their roster enough to get back to the top of the Eastern Conference. Looking back at the night, the Hawks selected two wings, AJ Griffin has the chance to change the Atlanta Hawks rotations” href=”https://soaringdownsouth.com/2022/06/24/aj-griffin-atlanta-hawks-rotations/” rel=””>AJ Griffin with the 16th pick and Tyrese Martin with the 51st pick.
Now that that part of the offseason is done, the Hawks have to move on to trying to trade their way to the top. A blockbuster trade involving John Collins was expected on the night but this never eventuated. It seems that the Hawks feel that Collins is their best path to obtaining a second star.
There has been a lot of talk since the Hawks’ early playoff exit that they are looking at Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, and Ben Simmons among others. However, there has been a flood of rumors circulating recently about the Hawks being interested in San Antonio Spurs star Dejounte Murray.
The Atlanta Hawks have a frenzied summer coming up.
According to the NBA fanbase as a whole, they are going to need a complete roster overhaul. According to the Hawks front office, they need a targeted roster upgrade. The answer may lie somewhere in between.
To this end, here is a list of five players who the Hawks would be well-served to have on their roster next season. The question is, as it always is during a trade, are they prepared to give what it will take to land one of these stars. Let’s take a look
Players the Atlanta Hawks should be interested in No. 1: Dejounte Murray
With the reports doing the rounds just now, you will struggle to find a Hawks fan who isn’t fully aware of the Dejounte Murray interest. Group chats have been flooded with predictions and expectations of what “DejounTrae” could mean for the Hawks and anyone unfortunate enough to get matched up against them next season.
It’s easy to get carried away and buy into the hype but in this instance, there doesn’t seem to be any real downside. Murray is an all-star and one of the most talented two-way players in the league as someone who could win Defensive Player of the Year while giving you 20 plus points a night.
Last season, he lead the Spurs in points (21.1) and assists (9.2) while being their second-best rebounder (8.3) and also leading the league in steals (2.0). The six-year pro would be the perfect guard to couple with Trae, allowing him more freedom on offense and anchoring the defense.
This is a no-brainer. San Antonio understandably has a high asking price However it would not come as a surprise to see Murray sporting a Hawks uniform on opening night.
Players the Atlanta Hawks should be interested in No. 2: DeAndre Ayton
The Phoenix Suns surprised a lot of the league with their views on Ayton. Believing he is not a max-level player has made a sign-and-trade for the highly coveted big man a realistic goal for numerous teams this off-season.
The Hawks should look to try their hand with a move for the star-studded Arizona alumni. During the Suns’ run to the 2021 finals run, Ayton was a major contributor and showed he has what it takes, both from a talent standpoint and mentally, to compete at the highest level.
Once again, supporting Trae with one of the top centers in the league is a perfect move. As the number one pick in 2018, Ayton has a lot to live up to if he is to ensure he is seen in the same talent bracket as draft-mates, Trae Young and Luka Doncic. A move to Atlanta creates a deadly guard-center duo and helps Ayton and Young to push their legacies together.
Last season, Ayton averaged 17.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game on 63.4% shooting while playing third-fiddle behind Devin Booker and Chris Paul. An improved role in Atlanta would all but guarantee a 20/10 season and a chance at running it back to the finals in 2023.
Players the Atlanta Hawks should be interested in No. 3: Jaylen Brown
Fresh off the back of his first finals appearance, Jaylen Brown will have gained a lot of admirers going into the summer. The former All-Star picked up a lot of the slack for the Celtics while Jayson Tatum struggled, forcing Boston to keep the series competitive as they lost in six games against the Golden State Warriors.
This was Brown’s third straight season averaging over 20 points per game for the Celtics as he continues to cement his name in the conversation of the league’s top talents. With averages of 23.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, he doesn’t quite have the same all-around appeal as Murray from stats alone. However, you don’t have to watch for too long to see the impact he has on games and the success which follows!
Murray is likely the focus just now, but in the situation it comes to nothing, the Hawks focusing their efforts on bringing Brown back to Georgia would definitely be a worthy endeavor. His combination with Young would be something to behold as he is another quality playmaker. He is also a strong defender as he has shown for the Celtics.
Players the Atlanta Hawks should be interested in No. 4: The Pelicans pair
Much like the Hawks, the New Orleans Pelicans are currently stashing a lot of talent. It is likely the Pelicans want to see where Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson can lead them to when given a healthy run at things.
However, front offices are known to grow impatient, and it is fair to assume they are always listening for trade ideas. In the lead-up to his draft night, Zion made it well known his destination of choice was Atlanta but things weren’t to be on the night.
A collection of injuries has made for sparse playing time so far in his young career, but if given a healthy season you can only imagine what sort of chaos Williamson might reign on his opponents. It wouldn’t harm the Hawks to put some questions out to measure the situation. At this moment, the Pelicans wouldn’t be wrong to value Ingram slightly above Williamson.
He has developed during his time with the organization to become a fantastic team leader and all-around talent. This could work in Atlanta’s favor if working a deal as the asking price for Zion may be cheaper than most would anticipate.
Ingram currently has three years left on his contract and it would understandably take a hefty haul to pry either star from New Orleans. However, with the wealth of talent Atlanta currently possesses, it is possible John Collins or Onyeka Okongwu could be valuable trade bait to start talks. Either of the all-star duo would improve the Hawks roster, and in a hypothetical world, the idea of Young and a healthy Williamson or Ingram is a scary thought!
Players the Atlanta Hawks should be interested in No. 5: Donovan Mitchell
There is seemingly a lot of unrest in Utah. Changes are coming and at least one of Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell will most probably not be playing for the Jazz next season. ‘Spida’ is a friend of Trae off the court and if welcomed to the Hawks would be the most dangerous offensive duo in the NBA.
Many people will have concerns about the defensive end of the floor, which is merited, but the sheer power Atlanta would be throwing at teams is hard to say no to. If Travis Schlenk was to explore this avenue, there would likely be defensive-minded reinforcements brought in alongside Mitchell.
It can be said about all the players listed above but it is hard to look away from the prospect of adding an all-star to help lead the team with Trae and take some of the weight off his shoulders. Mitchell is averaging 23.9 points, 4.5 assists, and 4.2 rebounds for his career to date and improved to 25.9 points and 5.3 assists throughout last season.
Suiting your star players’ wants is important to keep them happy. Bringing in someone with a close relationship with Young would help prove the franchise is truly backing him now and for the future.