The Atlanta Hawks made waves back in 2022 when they traded a haul of draft picks to the San Antonio Spurs for Dejounte Murray. Fast forward two seasons, and Murray's stint with the Hawks is over. While the Spurs seem to have come out on top in this deal, Atlanta has a chance to salvage some pride by steering clear of the play-in tournament.
As highlighted on a recent episode of Slam N Jam, the Hawks currently sit comfortably in fifth place. However, their position is precarious, just a game away from slipping into the play-in zone. Should they falter there, the Spurs would benefit with a lottery pick, a scenario Atlanta is keen to avoid.
San Antonio was optimistic when Atlanta traded Trae Young before the deadline, anticipating a drop in the standings. Instead, the Hawks have been on a tear, becoming one of the league's hottest teams. For Hawks fans, the goal is clear: secure a top-six finish and bypass the play-in altogether.
Atlanta did catch a break last summer when they acquired an unprotected 2026 first-round pick from New Orleans. This gives them a shot at a lottery pick, depending on how things shake out with the Pelicans and the Bucks.
While they can't undo the Murray trade, the Hawks are determined to prevent another top talent from heading to San Antonio. The Spurs have a knack for striking gold in the draft, landing stars like Victor Wembanyama in 2023 and others in subsequent years. Atlanta is eager to avoid adding to that list.
The challenge is real, as the Hawks face the league's fifth toughest remaining schedule, according to Tankathon. They're also just a half-game ahead of the seventh-seeded Sixers, who are getting healthier.
Atlanta has defied expectations in recent months and could continue to do so in the final stretch of the season. Regardless of how things play out, the Hawks can still look forward to a potentially high draft pick, offering a silver lining to their season.