After a gutsy performance against the inevitable champs in New York this postseason, the argument could certainly be made that the Atlanta Hawks are just one piece away from climbing the mountain.
As luck would have it, there happens to be a piece of titanic proportions on the market this summer - Kawhi Leonard.
While Leonard hasn't come out and listed the Hawks as his preferred landing spot, would it be impossible to make a case for the former multi-time NBA Finals MVP? I don't think so.
Kawhi's preferred destinations: his two former teams
Leonard played for both the San Antonio Spurs (2013-2018) and the Toronto Raptors (2018-2019) before wasting away his golden years in Los Angeles (2019-2026).
Just saying it out loud feels wrong - Leonard has played more seasons as a Clipper than the sum of any other organization. And yet, here we arrive at an ironic conclusion of his tenure in LA - he wants to return to the very same organizations he once brought a championship to.
Reports have emerged that Leonard - should negotiations fall through with LAC - desires to play exclusively for San Antonio or Toronto next season. At long last, the prodigal son seeks to return, and to mend the wounds he left in the hearts of both franchises.
Leonard infamously departed the Spurs on horrendous terms - sitting out an entire season with a fake injury, while incurring slights from his teammates left and right. A return to San Antonio seems less likely than Toronto given the circumstances, but perhaps 8 years is enough time for water to pass under the bridge in River City.
While the Raptors are certainly less bitter than the Spurs, they too were slighted by Leonard - Kawhi infamously departed Toronto after a singular season ending with a championship, deciding to quit on Canada having reached the summit of the league. Had Leonard extended in The North, it's not unreasonable to assume they would've had a real shot at another.
Atlanta's all-in case for The Klaw
The good news for Atlanta - should they show interest in Leonard - is their possession of a coveted asset that neither Toronto nor San Antonio have at their disposal.
Atlanta owns the less favorable first round pick of the Pelicans and the Bucks next season.
The bad news: the Pels get the better swap. The good news: both teams are slated for another trek towards the bottom of the West. All signs point to the pick being lucrative.
If Atlanta desires to go all in, it's simple - they can throw cap filler (Hield, Kispert) at the Clippers with the tantalizing NOP/MIL 2027 first, and hope that Los Angeles is wise enough to take the value and run. After all, the Spurs and Raptors don't have near as valuable of a draft asset to give up.
Should Atlanta make a few more ancillary moves this offseason, adding The Klaw would likely prove a recipe for extreme success in a depleted Eastern Conference.
With the fearsome defensive lineup starring Kingston Flemings, Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Kawhi, and Okongwu/Ejiofor, don't be shocked if Atlanta makes their name known well ahead of schedule.
Add us as a preferred source on Google