2024-25 season prediction ominous for retooled Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks won 36 games in 2023-24, their fewest since the 2019-20 season. That was also the last time the Hawks missed the postseason before falling short in 2023-24, their latest failing sparking a retooling of the roster. 

But their moves, which seemingly moved to better support Trae Young, are predicted to have the opposite effect.

That could be disastrous for the Hawks.

“The Hawks had a busy summer -- trading away shooting guard Dejounte Murray and drafting Zaccharie Risacher at No. 1 -- but are looking at a fourth straight appearance in the play-in group, according to our panel,” ESPN’s staff wrote on August 22.

There is a saying that doing the same thing and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity. 

The question is whether or not the Hawks or, perhaps even worse, Young feel that way.

Hawks record prediction could foreshadow major changes in 2025

It is a question that can only be answered by them, and only after the season plays out. But their actions and comments during the 2024 offseason alone could suggest that the conversations from this past summer ratchet up in 2025.

Young’s name came up in trade speculation ahead of the 2024 trade deadline, with Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer reporting that teams came away feeling like a trade was possible this summer.

Not only has that not happened, the Hawks now feature length and defense around Young.

However, Murray was easier for the Hawks to move due to his height at 6-foot-5 and smaller contract. Another season of lackluster results could spur the Hawks to follow through on those rumored explorative talks.

Young, for his part, has maintained that he wants to be in Atlanta and has taken every opportunity to illustrate. 

He has also emphasized that he wants to win, though.

A ninth-place regular season finish and another extended path to the playoffs is hardly a step in the right direction. Young has not pushed for a trade publicly and it could be a longshot to expect him to even if the Hawks struggle in 2024-25.

The roster is still young despite having some aging veterans in key roles. The Murray trade also brought with it a pair of first-round picks that could hold more value with time.

Another year of Jalen Johnson and Risacher’s development could change their 2025 outlook.

For the Hawks, moving Young could continue to prove difficult. Despite the guaranteed offense he provides, and perhaps even because of it to some degree, he is also a target on defense. That is why surrounding him with length and defense is paramount.

Whether or not the changes the Hawks made accomplish that remains to be seen. And if they do not, things could get very interesting in 2025.