Regardless of how the Atlanta Hawks felt about CJ McCollum's future with the organization before the postseason, it was likely altered drastically after he suddenly became their hero.
While the Hawks didn't advance to the second-round, they were the only team to give the eventual-champion New York Knicks a scare. For a moment, it almost appeared that they'd be going home in round one. McCollum, who drained two game-winners in their lone playoff series, was the biggest reason for New York's necessary change in philosophy.
Now that the offseason's begun for all 30 teams, the Hawks must answer some critical questions regarding their impending free agents - including the 34-year-old postseason riser.
Atlanta will do what they can to make sure he's back in a Hawks uniform
In the latest intel drop from Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, Atlanta "remains hopeful about its chances of re-signing veteran CJ McColllum in free agency after his standout postseason," but will remain interested in "coming away with another downhill ballhandler" in the upcoming draft.
So, even though they'll be looking to select a lead guard with plenty of upside in what's expected to be a loaded draft class, their mentality regarding a potential McCollum extension hasn't changed.
Outside of the quality production McCollum's able to put on display nightly, even at this stage in his career, he could act as a perfect stop-gap veteran for whoever Atlanta selects. That is, if they even select a guard, which remains up in the air.
A perfect combination of mentorship and proven on-court impact will go a long way for this Hawks team, who are still one of the youngest in the league. Recency bias has led to people forgetting just how inexperienced this group actually is.
While there's clearly interest from both sides in keeping McCollum in Atlanta long-term, it's far from a guarantee, as free agency is one of the most difficult periods to predict.
CJ McCollum will have suitors outside of Atlanta
Again, as a veteran presence still performing like he's in his prime, many teams could potentially benefit from his services. Any group that's still on the younger side, which is the majority of contenders today, will likely show interest in McCollum. He's an unrestricted free agent, after all, so he has the ability to sign with any team that throws an offer his way.
If the Hawks enter free agency with retaining McCollum as their top goal - which is certainly a likely scenario - then they should, and likely would, get it done fairly quickly.
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