Time for another Hawks mailbag, and this one is mildly free agency-themed.
Thanks to everyone who submitted questions on social media. I’ve done my best to answer those questions below.
Q: What do you expect the Hawks to do in free agency?
A: First, a little background: Because of the NBA’s out-of-whack schedule this year, free agency will begin much later than normal. Seems like we can count on pretty much everything getting delayed. According to ESPN, the league plans to push the 2020 draft from Oct. 16 to Nov. 18, with free agency expected to begin not long after the draft. That NBA finals are scheduled to end no later than Oct. 13, so that delay gives folks time to sort out the salary-cap situation, which will be a tall task, given the loss of revenue the NBA is facing. This obviously means that the start of the 2020-21 season will be pushed back from its Dec. 1 target date, as well, and The Athletic has reported it won’t be earlier than Dec. 25.
As far as what the Hawks should do, this isn’t the best free-agency class to work with, even with all their spending power (although that number can’t be precisely determined until the league figures out its salary-cap and luxury-tax situations).
General manager Travis Schlenk has said many times that he’ll look to add depth in free agency, and the Hawks could use it at power forward, point guard and on the wing. He’s also said he would like to add some slightly older players, given the Hawks' youth, and is wary of handing out contracts and spending money just because the Hawks have the ability to do so (in other words, it has to be the right time and the right fit to avoid handing out a contract they later would regret). Schlenk also doesn’t seem like he’s rushing the rebuilding process and has said that next year is not necessarily playoffs-or-bust for the Hawks, even though coach Lloyd Pierce has gone on record saying the team will make the playoffs, and owner Jami Gertz mentioned she hopes this is their last trip to the lottery. Because of that, I’m not sure I see the Hawks making a huge splash in free agency this year, or overpaying to nab a restricted free agent, but rather adding a few quality veterans to the roster.
The Hawks need more shooting, but would they be willing to try and wrestle Joe Harris away from the Nets, when general manager Sean Marks already has said that re-signing him is the team’s No. 1 priority? The Bulls' Kris Dunn also is an intriguing option, since the Hawks also desperately need to improve on defense. I think Denver’s Jerami Grant could be a good target as a big man who can shoot from distance. He’s also 26, which fits Schlenk’s plans of bringing in guys in their mid-20s, who are still young-ish but add a little experience to the roster.
Q: You get to help the Hawks select their draft pick. Who would you recommend?
A: Now that we know the Hawks have pick No. 6, I’m of the opinion they should take either Devin Vassell or Isaac Okoro, both talented wings. Okoro would give the Hawks some pop on defense, and I think his shot can develop. Vassell is a great 3-point shooter and good defender, too. Either way you look at it, that can help the Hawks with some of their biggest problems.
Q: Will the Hawks wait and let the market determine John Collins’ contract?
A: Some background: Collins, going into his fourth year with the Hawks, has said he thinks he should be in conversation for a max contract. In the regular season, Collins was one of five players in the league to average a 20-plus points and 10-plus rebounds per game, with 21.6 points and 10.1 rebounds, though it was in the smaller sample size of 41 games, given his 25-game suspension. Collins wants to stay in Atlanta, recognizes the value he brings and understandably hopes to avoid a “contract year” situation.
Although that makes sense on Collins' end, it’s also prudent for the Hawks to be patient, since they don’t have anything to lose by waiting until next offseason (when Collins becomes a restricted free agent) to figure out a course of action. While I think that’s the most likely option, they could also offer him a more team-friendly deal this go-around, something that could be tempting if Collins values getting a deal done sooner rather than later.
Q: Have you ever spoken to Trae Young about improving on the defensive end?
A: Yes indeed. In June, Young said this about needing to improve as a defender: “I think for me and my game to grow and take it to an even higher level is just my conditioning, my shape. Being able to play at 100% for a long period of time on both ends, I think for me to try and get in shape and make sure that I’m able to play super hard on both ends is going to be very important for me for next year.”
For the record, I don’t think Young needs to become an elite defender or even a good defender, but him taking steps to become slightly better may be enough, provided the Hawks can surround him with enough good-to-great defenders to compensate.
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