The Atlanta Hawks have had another offseason for the ages. Travis Schlenk has managed to overhaul the roster without losing too many key players. At the start of the offseason, it was tough to see both John Collins and De’Andre Hunter staying on the squad. However, Schlenk worked diligently and made the squad better, keeping most of the core.
Given how well Hunter played in the first round of the playoffs last season, teams should have been blowing Schlenk’s phone up. Instead, the Hawks front office boss went to work negotiating a contract with Hunter. The two parties are yet to meet at a happy place for both parties but there is still time to get the rookie extension done before the season starts.
What a season it has the potential to be. Adding an All-Star into the starting lineup alongside Trae Young is going to make life easier for the rest of the starters. I mean, Bleacher Report rated Hunter as the Hawks’ weakest starter. That means that the franchise is in a really good place.
De’Andre Hunter needs to show the Atlanta Hawks his value
While the two parties are about $20 million apart, the Hawks and Hunter need to come together before the season starts. They do not need any distractions as they attempt to navigate a full NBA season plus playoffs with the best team that they have had in a long time.
Not only that, the Hawks need to have Hunter stay healthy as he is a crucial piece of their roster who is able to have a huge impact on both ends of the court. Now, let’s take a look at three goals for De’Andre Hunter for the 2022-23 season.