The Hawks face big change this summer. As much as the franchise would like continuity after a historic season and trip to the Eastern Conference finals, things will be different next season. It’s very possible things will be much different.
“Making it to the Eastern Conference finals, and then we weren’t good enough,” Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “We have to figure out how to get better so we are good enough.”
Here are five things to watch this summer before another training camp begins in September.
Ownership
Sometime in the next several weeks, the Hawks will have new ownership when the final approval comes for a group led by Tony Ressler. At the very least, there will be organizational change. Grant Hill will assume responsibility as team president. There could be change from CEO Steve Koonin to the basketball operations staff. Even with new ownership, the fingerprints of the old regime remain. The incoming group may look to break ties with that checkered past — immediately or sometime in the next year.
Organizational structure
The first decision that new ownership must announce is the fate of general manager Danny Ferry. The Hawks just completed an awkward season with Ferry on indefinite leave of absence. There must be a resolution for the organization to move forward into a summer with the draft and free agency.
Budenholzer enters the final year of his contract. He spent the past season as acting head of basketball operations with Ferry gone. The Hawks may leave Budenholzer in charge with a new title or search for another general manager if Ferry does not return. Such a decision will have ramifications for the rest of the management staff.
Millsap/Carroll
The Hawks have two key unrestricted free agents in starters Paul Millsap and DeMarre Carroll. If the Hawks are to continue to build on all that was accomplished this season, they can’t have holes. Should both Millsap and Carroll leave, they will be replaced by players who will be new to a system that enters its third season.
In simplest terms, the Hawks have $40.3 million committed to 10 players under contract and a first-round draft pick slot. That includes non-guaranteed contracts for Mike Muscala and Austin Daye. The salary cap for next season is projected at $67.1 million, so the Hawks have flexibility.
Millsap and Carroll will get considerable raises from the two-year deals worth $19 million and $5 million, respectively, signed in 2013.
“It’s going to feel different,” Millsap said of this venture into free agency. “I’m with a winning team. I’m with a team that went to the Eastern Conference finals, so with all decisions that has to play a part in it, you have to reflect on all the success we’ve had.”
“Atlanta has been true to me,” Carroll said. “The fans have been true to me. It would be the ideal situation (to re-sign) but a lot of things going into the factor. … I know this is probably going to be one of my biggest paydays. I definitely have to take a look at that because I do want to be financially set for the rest of my life. I think I owe that to my family and to my daughter.”
The Hawks also have Pero Antic (restricted), Elton Brand (unrestricted) and John Jenkins (unrestricted) headed to free agency July 1.
Injuries
The Hawks had season-ending injuries to three key players, and each will require months to recover. Kyle Korver (right ankle), Thabo Sefolosha (right fibula) and Shelvin Mack (right shoulder) all are sidelined. The timetable for their return puts them right at the start of training camp, barring any setbacks. They likely will be integrated slowly into the preseason process after having missed months of preparation. Dealing with season-ending injuries always is a concern in moving forward.
Draft
The NBA Draft is June 25, and the Hawks have three picks — including the 15th selection. They missed badly on their first-round pick last year with Adreian Payne. While Payne may very well turn out to be a good player, it will be with another team after the Hawks gave up on him. Payne played three games for the Hawks and averaged 1.7 points and 1.3 rebounds in 6.3 minutes. After his trade to the Timberwolves in February, Payne played 29 games (22 starts) and averaged 7.2 points and 5.4 rebounds in 24.8 minutes.
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