Updated: 5/28/2024
Free Agents:
Saddiq Bey, RFA
Garrison Matthews, TO
Seth Lundy, RFA
Dylan Windler, RFA
2023-24 Season Overview:
The Hawks’ second season of trying to win with a Trae Young and Dejounte Murray pair went about as well as the first. Young may have superstar numbers, but he’s not one. The huge season from Jalen Johnson was probably the biggest plus from Atlanta’s season, and he’s a piece the team can build with. Onyeka Okongwu was also excellent, getting real minutes for the first time and showing franchise big-man potential. With their talent, there is no reason why the Hawks should have been the No. 10 team in the East. Calling 2023 a disappointing season would be too friendly, but at least they won the lottery!
Holes:
Lack a true lead star
Center Depth
Offseason Goals
First is the 2024 NBA Draft, where the Hawks will have the first pick from a disappointing class, but this means they will get one of the French forwards, Zaccharie Risacher or Alex Sarr. Atlanta should draft Risacher, who is a 6-foot-10 talent with elite shooting and defending. He could be a true franchise guy. The Hawks hoped that Trae Young would go bonkers to the tune of a deep playoff run again, but this was the No. 10 team in the East and I say that Young isn’t a No. 1 who can win his team a title.
Because there is no real chance of the Hawks finding someone superior in Young’s prime, I would personally put him on the trade market and ask for a package of players and picks that could really start a re-tool for them – Young for Cam Thomas and three first-round picks? Atlanta would also be smart to trade starter Clint Capela to give Onyeka Okongwu the five job, and the team could net at least another first-rounder by trading Capela, as well as Bogdan Bogdanovic.
Murray should be kept because the Hawks simply won’t get fair value because of his contract and he can be the bridge star while they re-build. I’d keep him, but they may deal him. Atlanta should also re-sign its four free agents, as depth is important, and after Bey, the roster would. be cheap. As for Bey, there’s no reason to let a talented offensive RFA walk. The Hawks have not been well run by management since at least choosing Trae Young over a certain someone during the 2018 NBA Draft, but they have to start hitting on their draft picks if they want to start being relevant.
Theoretical 2024-25 Roster
PG: Dejounte Murray, Kobe Bufkin, Seth Lundy
SG: Cam Thomas, Garrison Matthews
SF: Jalen Johnson, De’Andre Hunter, Dylan Windler
PF: Zaccharie Risacher, Saddiq Bey, A.J. Griffin
C: Onyeka Okongwu, Bruno Fernando, Mouhamed Gueye
Mike Elworth's 2023 NBA Mock Draft
Mike Elworth's 2024 NBA Mock Draft
NFL Picks - Nov. 15
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 13
NFL Power Rankings - Nov. 12
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
Updated: 5/28/2024
Free Agents:
Saddiq Bey, RFA
Garrison Matthews, TO
Seth Lundy, RFA
Dylan Windler, RFA
2023-24 Season Overview:
The Hawks’ second season of trying to win with a Trae Young and Dejounte Murray pair went about as well as the first. Young may have superstar numbers, but he’s not one. The huge season from Jalen Johnson was probably the biggest plus from Atlanta’s season, and he’s a piece the team can build with. Onyeka Okongwu was also excellent, getting real minutes for the first time and showing franchise big-man potential. With their talent, there is no reason why the Hawks should have been the No. 10 team in the East. Calling 2023 a disappointing season would be too friendly, but at least they won the lottery!
Holes:
Lack a true lead star
Center Depth
Offseason Goals
First is the 2024 NBA Draft, where the Hawks will have the first pick from a disappointing class, but this means they will get one of the French forwards, Zaccharie Risacher or Alex Sarr. Atlanta should draft Risacher, who is a 6-foot-10 talent with elite shooting and defending. He could be a true franchise guy. The Hawks hoped that Trae Young would go bonkers to the tune of a deep playoff run again, but this was the No. 10 team in the East and I say that Young isn’t a No. 1 who can win his team a title.
Because there is no real chance of the Hawks finding someone superior in Young’s prime, I would personally put him on the trade market and ask for a package of players and picks that could really start a re-tool for them – Young for Cam Thomas and three first-round picks? Atlanta would also be smart to trade starter Clint Capela to give Onyeka Okongwu the five job, and the team could net at least another first-rounder by trading Capela, as well as Bogdan Bogdanovic.
Murray should be kept because the Hawks simply won’t get fair value because of his contract and he can be the bridge star while they re-build. I’d keep him, but they may deal him. Atlanta should also re-sign its four free agents, as depth is important, and after Bey, the roster would. be cheap. As for Bey, there’s no reason to let a talented offensive RFA walk. The Hawks have not been well run by management since at least choosing Trae Young over a certain someone during the 2018 NBA Draft, but they have to start hitting on their draft picks if they want to start being relevant.
Potential 2024-25 Roster
PG: Dejounte Murray, Kobe Bufkin, Seth Lundy
SG: Cam Thomas, Garrison Matthews
SF: Jalen Johnson, De’Andre Hunter, Dylan Windler
PF: Zaccharie Risacher, Saddiq Bey, A.J. Griffin
C: Onyeka Okongwu, Bruno Fernando, Mouhamed Gueye
Mike Elworth's 2023 NBA Mock Draft
Mike Elworth's 2024 NBA Mock Draft
NFL Picks - Nov. 15
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 13
NFL Power Rankings - Nov. 12
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
