At this level final season, Atlanta was the speak of the league, however for the fallacious causes. All of the speak across the Hawks was in regards to the commerce deadline and what they might do with the duo of Dejounte Murray and Trae Younger, in addition to the remainder of the workforce. Now issues have modified.
The Atlanta Hawks are at present the speak of the NBA. They’ve gained seven of their final eight video games, together with two victories in opposition to the Knicks, together with one within the NBA Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday, a street victory in Boston, two victories in opposition to the Cavaliers and a victory in opposition to the Lakers. They’ll face the Milwaukee Bucks tomorrow afternoon within the largest sport of their season and with a win they might clinch a spot within the NBA Cup Finals on Tuesday in opposition to both the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder or the Houston Rockets. This can be a younger workforce at present taking part in workforce basketball and getting the eye of everybody across the NBA, together with many nationwide media retailers.
So what is going to the commerce deadline seem like for the Hawks this yr? It is at all times a query, even when the workforce is taking part in effectively. ESPN insiders Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst mentioned it in an article revealed at the moment and here is what Bontemps needed to say:
“The Hawks are enthusiastic about their younger quartet of gamers to construct round: Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu and No. 1 decide within the 2024 NBA Draft, Zaccharie Risacher.
However given the place the Hawks are, as soon as once more within the play-in race, if groups begin calling about their veterans, sources mentioned, Atlanta will pay attention. The Hawks are flirting with the luxurious tax this season, however as soon as Clint Capela’s expiring $22 million contract is off the books after this season, Atlanta can have much more flexibility to play with to fill out its roster – plus to clear an unimpeded path for Okongwu into the beginning 5.
The one participant opposing groups are eager about, particularly, is guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, who has confirmed himself as a scorer and shooter with a contract that, even inside present limits, is changeable to $17.6 million this yr. yr, $16.2 million subsequent yr and has a workforce choice for a similar quantity the next season.
As a substitute of commerce talks, WIndhorst spoke positively in regards to the management position Trae Younger has taken on this season with the Hawks and the impression it has had on them:
“In late summer season, after the Olympics, Hawks star level guard Trae Younger took Daniels and Risacher to his residence in Oklahoma throughout the offseason for a multi-day coaching and bonding session, stories mentioned. sources This was significantly appreciated by the younger new teammates and fashioned the premise for constructing a relationship with two cornerstones of the longer term in Atlanta.
For the previous two years, it was an open secret that the Hawks had workforce chemistry points, and that affected the working relationship between Younger and Dejounte Murray, who was traded throughout the offseason in New Orleans for a bundle together with Daniels. Hawks officers have labored with Younger — who generally is a little bit of an introvert, as teammates have famous throughout his profession — on his management and relationship-building expertise. It is nonetheless a piece in progress, however Younger is enhancing, workforce sources mentioned, and that has been one in all many vibrant spots for the Hawks this season.
Younger leads the NBA in assists with 12.2 per sport and has reached double figures in 9 of his final 11 video games, together with Wednesday’s upset win in New York that put the Hawks forward journey to Las Vegas for Saturday’s NBA Cup semifinals.
Though the Hawks are nonetheless younger and figuring issues out, they’ve some huge wins below their belt this yr and might be a harmful workforce down the road. They’re in a special place than they have been a yr in the past in the case of the commerce market, however they will nonetheless be a workforce to observe.
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