Written by: Matthew Blunk
For
a minute there, it seemed like maybe, just maybe, the Atlanta Hawks
might take that next step in their development as a basketball team.
Last season, they dispatched the Orlando Magic in the first round of the
playoffs in six games before falling to the Chicago Bulls in the
Semifinals. This season, Atlanta started out hot and eventually clinched
the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. They drew the Boston Celtics
as their opponents, a team on its last collective legs. After a
promising win in Game 1 of the series, the Hawks dropped four of the
next five and found themselves in a familiar position - at home,
watching the rest of the NBA playoffs.
And so now they are left with questions. Is Joe Johnson worth $119
million? Can he lead a team any further than the Semifinals? Does Josh
Smith figure in to the team's future? These aren't exactly simple
questions to answer. One thing is certain - Smith has requested a trade.
The Hawks will have to address his request this summer. Could they work
out a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, a team in desperate need of
some change, to perhaps acquire forward-center Pau Gasol?
Smith-and-pieces for Gasol and Steve Blake? Nothing can really be ruled
out at this point. Both teams need new looks, so it makes sense to at
least discuss a trade.
Atlanta is essentially all-in with Johnson, though. His colossal
contract is, for all intents and purposes, unmovable. So they have to
move ahead and continue building around him and Al Horford. When
healthy, Horford is the team's best player. His reliable jumper and
undeniable ability to rebound the ball are vital to the Hawks' success.
But at times, he is forced to play out of position at center. Horford is
a pure power forward. In a perfect world, Atlanta would sign Orlando
Magic center Dwight Howard if/when he fits free agency. He'd be the
final piece to the puzzle for them, and a Horford/Howard frontline would
be unmatched in the Association. On top of all that, Howard is an
Atlanta, GA native. But Howard seems more interested in bigger markets
and expanding his "brand." And the Hawks would struggle to manage paying
Johnson, Horford, and Howard. But hey, if the Miami Heat could do it...
Realistically, the Hawks could use some depth. A lot of depth. With Kirk
Hinrich poised to become a free agent, they will need a backup point
guard. Re-signing the reliable veteran is certainly a possibility, but
durability could be an issue. Hinrich missed a significant portion of
2011-12 with a shoulder injury. Small forward is a critical spot for the
Hawks, as they currently have Marvin Williams manning the position.
Williams has his strengths, but is best suited for a role coming off the
bench. Atlanta's biggest needs are point guard and at the three, as
they have decent reserve bigs in Ivan Johnson and Zaza Pachulia.
The Hawks are in the no man's land of the NBA. They lack a dominant star
player they can rely on to consistently get the team deep into the
playoffs, and yet they have more than enough talent to get to the second
round. They can either make a splash with a trade and try to get over
the top that way, or they can just bring in a few decent vets to flesh
out the depth. Whatever the case, change is coming to Atlanta.
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