The 2024-25 NBA season is upon us and media day marks the occasion with comments to stir up a whole host of emotions. First up to the microphone was Hawks general manager Landry Fields.
Fields addressed the current state of the roster, the potential future of some players, and their long-standing interest in one new addition in particular.
Here are the 10 most notable things that Fields said.
Landry Fields ‘Thrilled' with Trae Young’s Offseason Actions
It was not the first in the line of questions, but Fields’ thoughts on Hawks star Trae Young were very noteworthy in the context of their offseason moves and plans going forward. It certainly sounds like Young is a part of them.
The Hawks like what they have seen from him over the summer.
“I'm really thrilled with Trae this offseason and the steps that he has taken in his leadership and things that he's been working on, and the level of partnership that we have with him. And I'm excited for him. I think that this year for him is going to be one of his best, and I don't even mean that from a statistical standpoint. He's a fantastic player. The stats are going to be what they are because of who he is and the skill level that he has. But when I mean “best,” I mean, exactly what … we've seen,” Fields said.
“Things that we're more in partnership with now and just making sure that, ‘Hey, this is one of the better players on this team, so it doesn't all come down to you'. He understands it's a collective and that's part of who we are as well. Our understanding that the whole is something that we're always focused on.
“Watching him take those steps and practice those, I couldn't be more thrill for them. We're real excited, I'm really excited for him and how he's going to impact our group this year, we're looking forward to it”
Landry Fields: Hawks “not a finished product”
While this comment alone comes off as a remark about the roster, and may very well be, Fields was speaking on the team’s full participation during organized team activities and what they had shown in those workouts.
He also said that the moves they made over the offseason helped moved them toward their “brand” of basketball – Hawks DNA – and added that he is excited about the group.
“I really believe [the offseason put Hawks on a path to championship contention],” Fields told reporters on September 30. “The group – from our staff to our coaches – they’ve worked tirelessly this summer. Going back to some moves that we made, to even the draft, really addressing some things that, for us, were really important to hit on going into this season, and adding more of the characteristics that we believe in time will net us those big results that we want.
Fields said, though, that their focus is controlling what they can control, which being connected as a group.
His only expectation at this point of the NBA calendar is “progress”
“Probably sick of me saying that. But it really is about that. There is a style of play that, for us, is within our control. And it’s something that we harp on, and we practice, and we make sure that the individuals that we’re bringing into the franchise already fit to a certain degree and they’re already practicing those core elements. There is a core characteristic that we’re looking for with this group.
“For us, the expectation is [to] get out there, continue to make progress. And practicing that, the daily habits are very important to us. And for us, the belief is if you do that over a good span of time, all of the big goals, we’ll accomplish.”
Hawks’ new identity: Trae Young-centric offense, upgraded defense
Fields did not directly say it, but the Hawks are clearly planning to let Young dominate the ball in a manner more similar to his seasons before the Hawks acquired Dejounte Murray in 2022.
What he did say only bolstered the notion created by their offseason moves.
“We wanted to make sure that we had guys that, if you’re watching them play, what do they do when the ball’s not in their hands? [It’s] something very important for us: Making sure that there’s still movement. And that’s on both sides of the ball,” Fields said.
“Defensively, I think we needed a upgrade a little bit as well, and that was something that we wanted to go into the offseason looking to address.”
Fields also said depth was “huge,” noting the roster could present some lineup challenges.
He said they accomplished their goal of getting bigger on the wings. He also essentially confirmed intel regarding the team’s views on the shooting guard, small forward, and power forward spots, saying they are virtually interchangeable in their eyes.
Hawks really high on Zaccharie Risacher
Not that we should have expected anything less, but Fields spoke glowingly about rookie No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher.
“Had the No. 1 pick, and feel great about Zacch and his progress and how he attacks his everyday work,” Fields said. “He’s already been a pro for some time, so it’s good to see where he’s at. And good to see, at 19 [years old] where he ultimately could go. And we’re very thrilled so far with what we’ve seen, and I think his ceiling is unbelievably high.”
In draft class full of question marks, Risacher has a chance to surprise even as a No. 1 pick.
The Hawks still have several viable offensive threats to account for, allowing the rookie to fill in gaps where needed. At 6-foot-9 and wingspan over 7 feet long, Risacher’s length and defensive potential fit into Fields’ comments about the Hawks’ plan for the offseason.
Hawks looking to ‘unearth’ David Roddy
Fields was presented with a question about evaluating lesser-known players like David Roddy, sparking a potentially telling answer about the former Phoenix Sun.
“We identified [Roddy] throughout time, and then this Summer League we were really pleased with his play, and progression, and some of the strides that he made on the court. So looking at more of our brand, we saw him, and kind of dating back to even when he was at Colorado St., the things that he could do which he’s not necessarily shown too much in the NBA, we feel like, ‘Hey, that really fits. Can we unearth some of that that we saw before he even got to this level.’ So that’s exciting.
Fields said he was encouraged by what he saw from Roddy in OTAs, citing his passing, toughness, voice, and work ethic. It all gives further clarity to the Hawks’ logic for trading E.J. Liddell to land Roddy this offseason.
Dyson Daniels ‘incredible’ defensively
Fields also had plenty of good things to say about Dyson Daniels, one of the key pieces in the Murray trade.
Known for his strong defense, Daniels still has plenty to prove on offense.
“Dyson, incredible defender,” Fields said. “Continuing to evolve in his offensive game. Watching him from the [G League] Ignite to where he’s at now, you know that he has those playmaking abilities and the versatility that he’s shown. And when he doesn’t have the ball, he’s still effective out there.”
Fields said Daniels was another player that fit well into what the Hawks want to be as a team.
Vit Krejci ‘embodies’ Hawks’ brand of basketball
The Hawks made it a point to bring reserve point forward Vit Krejci back in free agency this offseason. Fields was not ready to commit any specific role to the 24-year-old, but he did comment on just why it was so important for the Hawks to re-sign Krejci.
“When I talk about our brand of basketball, if you watch Vit, he really embodies a ton of that and what he's done from the time he's gotten to the league to where he ended last year, I think he's made huge strides,” Fields said. “The development that he's had, how he approaches the game, how he's for his teammates, that's something that you want around regardless of playing time for us. It was really important to make sure that we got him back with us because of all that.
“The more that we have of that, I think that's the cultural piece that we're looking for, and he fits that very well. So not sure what it’ll look like from a lineup standpoint. just yet. But I know that we've been in conversations with Coach and his staff on some of that stuff, so we'll see where that falls.”
Cody Zeller could be first Hawks big man to go
The Hawks have a wealth of centers, but one of them might not be as long for the roster as his pedigree would suggest.
The Hawks acquired Cody Zeller as the final piece of the Murray trade.
He is also the tallest player on the roster. He would offer a tangible asset that the Hawks have lacked for the past few seasons. However, Fields says they are still working through all of their options with the veteran.
“It's still an evaluation right now as it relates to our roster and how that's going to shape up going into training camp,” Fields said.
“We're talks with his camp. Just kind of seeing what that's going to look like for the future.”
Nikola Djurisic unlikely to don Hawks uniform in 2024-25
Rookie second-round pick Nikola Djurisic was among the players notably left off the Hawks’ training camp roster.
It was for good reason, with Djurisic ineligible to participate since he is not under contract.
He is also recovering from food surgery and will be reevaluated in November. But Fields also gave some insight into the Hawks’ plans for Djurisic, who has been around his teammates this offseason.
“Still trying to get him healthy,” Fields said. “Looking at a few different options for him. And likely a stash opportunity for us, and I think that's probably where we'll see him go.”
Health updates
Fields was asked about the health of Kobe Bufkin (shoulder), Mouhamed Gueye (hip), and Seth Lundy (shoulder) with training camp opening tomorrow.
The Hawks GM said Bufkin and Gueye are 100% healed and good to go for training camp. Fields was less forthcoming about Lundy and Okongwu, saying they were still working their way back but clarifying that none of the players had suffered any setbacks.
Still, Okongwu is certainly a situation to monitor.