Losing 140-89 to the New York Knicks in front of their hometown was not the result the Atlanta Hawks wanted, but an objective analysis of the roster indicates a bright future is on the horizon. It might sound absurd, given their recent historic defeat, but the six-game playoff series will serve as a priceless lesson for this young team moving forward.
It's important to find a silver lining in the midst of embarrassment
A moral victory can’t fill an arena with loyal fans, but it does offer a sense of optimism in the face of despair. Jalen Johnson and the Hawks were bound to experience a Playoff elimination at some point.
Losing a first-round playoff series is a rite of passage for every great to play the game, and for Johnson, it opened his eyes to the pressure of being an NBA All-Star. OG Anunoby and Josh Hart contained Johnson for five games, excluding a solid Game 3 performance for the 24-year-old.
The first-time All-Star averaged 19.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in his first Playoff series as a top option. Although they’re good numbers on paper, the All-NBA candidate disappointed many of the believers he gained during the regular season.
It’s clear he was pacified by trepidation and indecisiveness, two dream-killers in the NBA postseason. He’ll have no choice but to watch the film back, and unfortunately for Johnson, time machines only exist in movies.
Someone with his frame is built to absorb contact, and it would’ve been amplified by his athleticism. Jalen has no choice but to think about it over the off-season, and while he improves on the court, it falls on Hawks' GM Onsi Saleh to construct a better team around his franchise centerpiece.
Atlanta has an invaluable opportunity to luck out in the lottery
Before they can think about this summer's free agency period, the Hawks must right their wrong of the 2024 NBA Draft. Saleh has done his best to clean up the mess left by former Hawks GM Landry Fields, and now he gets the chance to draft his first lottery pick as the new GM.
Luckily for Onsi, the 2026 NBA Draft offers a litany of prospects he can select. After witnessing the Hawks' struggle to create shots in the half-court, drafting Mikel Brown Jr or Keaton Wagler would make an immediate impact.
Both guards were proven scorers in college and showcased high-level playmaking. Drafting one of the guards would soften the blow of losing CJ McCollum.
Everyone in the front office is aware of McCollum's one-year deal, which just came to an end on Thursday night. Drafting either of the teenagers comes with the trade-off of losing CJ’s veteran presence, but the 13-year veteran could come with a hefty price tag during contract negotiations.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks previewed their financial situation in the Hawks’ offseason guide ahead of the postseason.
“The Hawks have $119 million in guaranteed contracts. They've got $44 million in guaranteed contracts. If they waive Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield, it’s almost not worth it from a cap perspective,” said Marks. “ You should rather have the expiring contract of Kuminga to go out and use [in a trade], or you decline it and sign him for a number because the Hawks are still in great shape financially. They’re going to add that Draft pick, and they’ll see what happens with CJ.”
If the Hawks let CJ walk, it’ll allow their incoming rookie to absorb McCollum’s minutes. Their lottery pick will play a massive role next season, and it’s one of the many things Hawks fans have to look forward to as they build a competitive roster for the long term. Now they enter the offseason with a bitter taste in their mouths, but it's the perfect motivation to improve as they aim to return to the Playoffs again next year.
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