Season Record: 21-61

Season highlights: Internal development, especially into rookie Jalen Green. Coby White took some strides in regard to efficiency and the coaching staff giving Bouknight the greenlight to fly. Acquiring the pieces to go all in for the offseason.

Season lowlights: Normally when a season�s highlight is internal development, it�s because it�s a real down year and this was the case for the Hawks. It was a tough season overall for the Hawks, but Banderson has a plan and he felt comfortable having say, a �gap� year to build the platform for next season and beyond.

 

Trading:

The Hawks made some solid moves throughout the season, but the big deals came in the offseason and has really changed the mindset and expectations around the club for the 2022-23 season now.

Best trade: 

While the Hawks gave up a lot on paper, when you go into the nitty gritty, it seems about right for a stud like Dame. 3 role players, so you won�t miss much there and 2 1sts and 2 2nds? I think this is a great trade for the Hawks to shift the mindset into next season. Reports are Dame is healthy, motivated and ready to get back to his elite form.

Worst trade:

I honestly couldn�t pick a bad trade. I think Banderson made great moves throughout the season and in the offseason, he�s absolutely killed it to put the team back into a competitive category.

Other notable trades:

Dame needed an experienced running buddy to smooth the transition into being competitive as Green isn�t quite ready for that yet and I think Banderson did well with this deal. Siakam is an all-NBA 2-way talent and should be the perfect robin to Dame�s batman. 

 

Free Agency:

Atlanta will need to be a player in Free Agency to bolster the list around Lillard and Siakam. They will need a starting centre and add some veteran names off the bench to support the young guys. Their core is set and really solid with Dame/Pascal/Green/Hunter and while guys like White, Hayes and Stewart will be contributors, it won�t be enough to get the team to where Banderson wants. I can see a couple of big bids as Atlanta tries to go all in on a few guys.

Team Free Agents:

Aaron Holiday (UFA) � An ok role guy but won�t be missed if they lose him. Probably easily replaceable in free agency.

Louis Williams (UFA) � Lou isn�t what he used to be and that is made obvious by the fact he�s still a free agent and doesn�t seem to have any interested suitors. I think Banderson lets Lou walk.

Eric Paschall (UFA) � 26 this year and all he could find for himself was a 2-way deal at the Wolves, not a good sign. Banderson may be interested in bringing him back but there could be competition.

Sharife Cooper (RFA) � As of right now, he�s set to be a UFA, but he is QO eligible. Could only find an exhibit 10 contract in the NBA but if he sticks, Hawks likely bring him back for depth.

Star: 

Jalen Green � He didn�t set the season on fire and probably only gets the star award because he lasted the year. Bagley and Dinwiddie were probably better but the only played 40 and 34 games respectively after being traded for each other. Jalen averaged 11.6 ppg 3.1rpg 2.9apg and shot 37% from three, nothing really eye popping but he gradually progressed throughout the season and established himself as a potential cornerstone of the franchise.

Flop:

De�Andre Hunter � A lot of people were really expecting more from Hunter last season� but he never got going. 6.9ppg 4.6rpg in 29mpg just wasn�t what the Hawks wanted/needed. He was coming off an injury riddled season so maybe you can cut him some slack� but you got to pick someone for this spot. I think he will pick up this season, he�s going to fit in perfectly between Dame, Spicy and Green.

Draft Grades:

Pick 35 � Andrew Nembhard � B+

This may have been a little of a homer pick too I fell, but he was Mr 31 in the NBA and still on the board 5 picks later here, so it�s also starting to creep in value. Nembhard doesn�t have the ceiling of some of the other prospects, but his floor is high, and he has a heap of experience for the Canadian team and against a variety of comp, with a 4-year college career to boot, so you know what you�re getting and he can fill a reserve role for years most likely.

Pick 39 � Kendell Brown � B

Brown is an athletic freak, and this could translate great to 2k if he can get himself into a position to play in the league. There�s a handful of guys on the board that have contracts and still Peyton Watson floating around, so I�m not 100% on reaching down to NBA 48 for Brown, but he is a highlight reel waiting to happen.

I tend to agree with the grades of these ones. I think Brown could be your perfect 2k guy and will contribute as long as he has an NBA contract. Nembhard has a lot of potential but as with most 2^nd round picks, a lot needs to fall in their favour to be an NBA contributor.

The Future:

The Hawks took a big swing in the offseason and will be looking to make a push up the eastern conference standings. The have a great duo of win now veterans with dame and spicy and their future is still in tack with Green, Hunter, White, Stewart and Hayes. I like what the Hawks have done, it is risky when you consider how tough the conference is, but you got to admire people swinging for it. I personally believe Green is a star in the making and if he can take an early leap into stardom over the next 18 months, the Hawks will be a problem for a while yet. Its officially Dame Time in Atlanta.