The Atlanta Hawks are making waves this offseason, starting from the top with extensions for general manager Onsi Saleh and head coach Quin Snyder. These moves set the tone for a busy period, as the Hawks are clearly focused on building a team that can compete at the highest level.
One of their key offseason moves was re-signing CJ McCollum. He played a crucial role in their impressive second-half turnaround after being acquired in the Trae Young trade with the Wizards. Adding to their roster, the Hawks also traded for Aaron Wiggins, aiming to bolster a bench that lacked depth last season.
The draft brought fresh talent to Atlanta with the additions of Kingston Flemings, Zuby Ejiofor, and Henri Veesaar. Flemings, in particular, stands out as a potential day-one starter at point guard-a position where the Hawks had a noticeable gap last season. However, with a savvy veteran like CJ McCollum on the roster, the Hawks might opt to ease Flemings into the role, allowing him to learn and grow under McCollum's mentorship.
Ejiofor, on the other hand, is poised to make an immediate impact with his relentless defensive energy and unique offensive skills for a big man. These additions have already put Atlanta in a better position than when they faced the New York Knicks a few months back. However, there's still one significant piece missing-a big man to anchor the center position.
According to insider Jack Fischer, the Hawks are actively pursuing a trade to fill this gap. While the specifics of their target list remain under wraps, past pursuits have included centers like New Orleans' Yves Missi, Orlando's Goga Bitadze, and Dallas' Daniel Gafford. These names suggest the Hawks are looking for more than just a backup; they want a player who can make a significant impact.
There was even a consideration to test Oklahoma City's stance on Isaiah Hartenstein. Although seen as a longshot, the Hawks were hopeful that Oklahoma City's draft decision to select Aday Mara might make Hartenstein available. However, Hartenstein has since signed a contract extension with the Thunder, taking him off the table.
The Hawks' intentions are clear-they recognize their interior needs and are not settling for a minimal-impact player. As the offseason progresses, it would be surprising if Atlanta doesn't invest heavily in strengthening their center position. The Hawks are on a mission to build a formidable squad, and the league should take notice.
In Other News...
Hawks Just Got A Huge Break In The Southeast Division
The Southeast Division just got a fresh jolt, and the ripple effects should matter in Atlanta. With Miami and Charlotte reshuffling the top end of their rosters, the short-term balance in the division suddenly looks a little friendlier for the Hawks, who have spent the last few seasons trying to climb back into the East's upper middle class.
Atlanta also has some history of preparing for the division's biggest problems in creative ways, especially against Giannis Antetokounmpo, using unusual defensive looks since 2021 to try to slow his path into the paint. If those kinds of matchups become less frequent in the division race, it could give the Hawks a cleaner runway while Charlotte's timeline gets pushed back a bit more. [Read more 🡒]
Former Hawks Big Suddenly Lands In A Much Bigger Free Agency Battle
The Lakers are shopping for frontcourt help, and Jock Landale has surfaced as one of the bigger names in that mix. The former Hawks center spent part of last season in Atlanta after being waived by Utah, then appeared in 23 games for the Hawks before moving on, and his value around the league has only grown since then. With his physical style and size, he fits the kind of depth teams tend to chase once the market opens.
Atlanta, though, may have a familiar reason to keep an eye on where this goes. Landale is drawing interest from multiple suitors, including teams that can put together a much more aggressive pitch than a simple depth spot, and he is expected to command offers beyond the bi-annual exception. For a Hawks team that already knows what he brings, the question is less about whether he belongs on a roster and more about whether his next deal gets pushed into a range that changes the entire competition. [Read more 🡒]
Hawks Are One Costly Offseason Decision Away From Changing Everything
After a busy stretch of roster shuffling, the Hawks have already checked off a handful of offseason items by re-signing CJ McCollum, adding Aaron Wiggins in a trade, drafting three players and picking up Mouhamed Gueyes team option. Even with those moves in place, Atlanta is still working through how to balance its depth chart with the hard realities of the cap as free agency approaches.
The biggest pressure point is the front offices next contract decision, one that could push the roster into a far more restrictive financial lane if the club decides to keep moving forward with its current plan. Atlanta is also weighing whether it can clear enough room by exploring trades involving Buddy Hield, Corey Kispert and Zaccharie Risacher, a reminder that one more move could reshape not just the rotation but the teams entire offseason flexibility. [Read more 🡒]