It may be in the back of fans' minds at this point - considering all that's happened since - but not too long ago the Atlanta Hawks were eliminated in six games by the eventual champion New York Knicks.
Taking them to six ended up being a bit of a moral victory, even. They were the only squad to push the league's most dominant group to anything more than five. After years of postseason disappointment, the Hawks will take it.
If they weren't being held back by some of their clear roster weaknesses, who knows? Maybe they could've pushed them to seven. Maybe, just maybe, they could've stole the series and rewrote history.
Hawks clearly don't want to be held back by their bench any longer
While the Jonathan Kuminga sweepstakes - if it could even be called that - continues, Atlanta has gone out and operated as if he'll be going elsewhere.
Him departing would be a massive loss for their already-troubled second unit. But not as much now after they've made some quality adjustments.
Just before the recent NBA Draft, the Hawks went out and acquired Aaron Wiggins from the Oklahoma City Thunder for the low cost of some second-round picks.
In the draft itself, they added a primary playmaker in Kingston Flemings, as well as frontcourt reinforcements in Zuby Ejiofor and Henri Veesaar. The draft alone answered many bench questions, and when they ultimately traded for Lu Dort, they started looking like a complete team.
In a much better spot than before, one major question still remains. What will the Atlanta Hawks do with Jonathan Kuminga, who still remains an unrestricted free agent?
As more time passes, the unthinkable could take place. After all this waiting, there appears to be a shot he comes back for at least another season.
Hawks would officially complete their second unit by retaining Kuminga
In the latest intel drop from Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, he noted that the 23-year-old forward is "open to an Atlanta return on a short-term deal."
Something that wasn't considered as a mere possibility following the trade for Lu Dort, the Hawks and Jonathan Kuminga could find themselves partnered for at least one more season if no sign-and-trade scenarios end up taking shape.
This would give him a chance to prove himself even more, in an already-loaded second unit, for a much bigger payday in next year's free agency period.
It would be a gamble for both sides, really, but maybe a worthy one if it ends up being the addition that takes them over the hump.
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