Atlanta Hawks' approach to 2024 offseason draws fitting reaction

The Atlanta Hawks are expected to take a step back in 2024-25, and they very well might. 

They overhauled their roster over the 2024 offseason, trading away a former All-Star in Dejounte Murray without getting one in return. They also let a key contributor land with a division rival in Washington Wizards forward Saddiq Bey. 

There is also uncertainty around Trae Young’s future as well as those of most of his teammates.

Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes lists the Hawks’ approach as a reason to love and hate their offseason.

Analyst loves ‘optionality’ of Hawks’ offseason acquisitions

“We can't really credit the Atlanta Hawks for lucking into the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, which ultimately became Zaccharie Risacher. But the acquisition of a top talent, even in a weak draft, combines well with the trade that turned Dejounte Murray into Dyson Daniels and a pair of first-round picks,” Hughes wrote on September 14.

“Those assets give the Hawks optionality if Trae Young can't guide an otherwise unchanged core to more than last year's 36 wins.”

Young has not pushed for a trade.

The Hawks’ retool allows them time to see if they can still make it work around him regardless of what happens with the three-time All-Star. He is in Year 3 of a five-year, $215.1 million contract and has a player option for the 2026-27 season.

Adding Young with Daniels and Risacher – who attended his “From The Point Weekend” – to incumbents Jalen Johnson surrounds Young with switchable length.

Slotting De’Andre Hunter with those four in small-ball situations could get interesting.

The Hawks also have versatile center Onyeka Okongwu behind starter Clint Capela, who, like Hunter and Young, has been mired in trade speculation for months. To the underlying message of Huges’ selections, the Hawks’ offseason moves are a big reason for that.

Hawks offseason leaves immediate future uncertain

Hughes notes the Hawks’ lack of control over their first-round picks through 2028 virtually locks them into trying to remain competitive. But he also believes they are simply vying for Play-In Tournament contention.

Despite the new pieces potentially fitting better with Young than Murray, the outlook is bleak.

“Risacher is unlikely to be a helpful player this season, and the subtraction of Murray means the Hawks don't have as much overall talent as they did a year ago,” Hughes wrote.

“It's possible Daniels will pop, and his defense-first skill set is admittedly intriguing next to Young. Atlanta could get organic growth from him, Onyeka Okongwu and Jalen Johnson, thereby compensating for Murray's departure. But the product, on paper, isn't as good as it was a year ago.”

Young has embraced the negative perception around this team, even though he admitted he did not foresee stardom in the incoming rookie class, which would include Risacher. Still, that suggests buy-in from him.

Trade rumors aside, the Hawks have supplied defensive insulation for Young.

It appears as though both sides are willing to make it work in the immediate future and for as long as they can.