The idea of Austin Reaves in a Hawks uniform is incredibly intriguing for a variety of reasons. He addresses many of their weaknesses and would be a seamless fit into Quin Snyder's offensive system. The only downside - and biggest barrier - to a potential Reaves addition, though, is what it would likely cost them.
With multiple suitors likely to aggressively pursue him, there's going to be a bidding war. No team that goes after him would be able to outbid the Brooklyn Nets, and yes, they're interested.
According to Dan Woike of The Athletic, the Atlanta Hawks are interested in bringing in Reaves, but the Brooklyn Nets are expected to offer him a four-year, $178.5 million contract, exceeding over $40 million annually. Yikes.
Atlanta should steer clear of sending max money for Reaves
Is Reaves worth a max contract? Sure, but Atlanta doesn't have anyone on their roster making over $30 million flat. Not only is it unrealistic that they outbid Brooklyn or any other team for him, but they shouldn't if they've got real confidence in their group's current trajectory.
Bringing in any player on max money this offseason would mean they would have to make some difficult free agency decisions regarding players who were on their roster last season.
The futures of CJ McCollum, Jonathan Kuminga and Jock Landale with the organization would immediately be in question, as suddenly, the Hawks wouldn't have much more cap space to operate with.
Obtaining Reaves would probably raise their ceiling more than having all three of them rostered, but they have to ask themselves a very important question: are they truly ready to contend next season?
It's important to remember that their roster isn't just one major piece away. Plenty of weaknesses were exposed this postseason, and while bringing in a proven All-Star shot-creator would address one of them, it still leaves them with a significant gap in the frontcourt.
They need to continue having patience unless they could steal Reaves
If they're able to get Reaves on board with taking less money for an opportunity to make some noise in the Eastern Conference and have an easier path to the Finals than in the West, than by all means.
The realisticness of that happening, however, is low. Agents will do whatever it takes for their client to get the most money possible in a long-term deal, and if Brooklyn is a true competitor, it's hard to imagine Atlanta will want to - or be able to- outbid them.
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