GM in 10 - Atlanta Hawks

GM in 10: Atlanta Hawks

GM in 10 is a series of discussions where we take one franchise (the Hawks today) and talk about the 10 steps I would take to improve the team. There will not always be 10 steps, all trades are ran through the trade machine (to make sure the money matches), and signings are based on cap space/rumors.

The Atlanta Hawks, oh boy. Last place in the East and currently 25 games under .500, and playing some baddddd basketball. But things were not always this way, let me remind you of simpler times. The year is 1998 and the Atlanta Hawks had made the playoffs for 18 out of the past 22 years, and 7 straight. They only finished below .500 for 4 of those seasons (!!!). In those 18 playoff appearances, Atlanta never finished the regular season as the 8th seed, and only 3 times as the 7 seed.



To put it simply, they were a really good perennial playoff team. It was expected that the Hawks would make the postseason, they just didn't know what to do when the got there. The never made the Eastern Conference Finals, let alone the NBA Finals. It was something that had alluded the Hawks franchise since they made the move from St. Louis to Atlanta.



Then the Philips Arena was opened for the 1999 season, and boy did things change. First off, they changed uniforms. From a strong hawk bestowing the front of the jersey, (Below) to one of the worst the franchise has seen (Bottom)

I mean c'mon. Why would anyone in their right mind want that red dress after coming from a menacing hawk? Think I'm crazy? Even Bleacher Report has the Hawk's 1995-1999 Road uni as their #2 Best in the franchise's history. And their 2002-2007 Home uni as #3 Worst and 2004-2007 Alternate as the #1 Worst.



The Hawks preceded to have 8 losing seasons in a row, and knew that things had to change. 



Introducing "change":

New uniforms, new logos, and new colors. Atlanta was definitely on the right track here. They swapped black for blue, and brought back that great Hawk.



The results came instantly, with the team making the playoffs their first year after the change. They have also made the playoffs for 10 straight seasons since (looking likely they won't make it this year).



In those 10 playoffs appearances, they advanced past the first round 5 times, and even made their very first Conference Final appearance. Only 3 seasons ago, the Hawks finished with 60 wins, top seed in the East, and had the Coach of the Year. However, it ended poorly as they were swept by the #2 seed Cavaliers.



Well those days of victory are over. The Hawks are actively tanking, and need a rebuilding plan to get back to competing. LET'S GET GOING.

STEP 1

If the Mavs resign Noel, Trade Miles Plumlee for Nerlens Noel.



The Hawks are just at the salary cap limit for this season, but next year have 11 players locked up for only 70 million. They are looking at the 3rd most Cap Space currently, and do not have that many slots to have to fill. They have Kent Bazemore, Dennis Schroder, and Mile Plumlee locking up 45 of the 70 million, but I don't think any of those players are "stars". Plumlee was making around $1.1 million for his first 3 seasons, and $2.1 million two seasons ago in Milwaukee. But he signed a 4yr/$50 million deal with the Bucks in 2016 and is making $12.5 million/year now. Even with NBA inflation of contracts, Plumlee is costing a fortune for what the Hawks are getting from him.



Plumlee has a defensive rating of 111, which means the amount of points given up over 100 possessions. This isn't terrible per say, but when we compare him to the best Centers in the league...he isn't great value. There are 347 players in the NBA with a better defensive rating...and Miles isn't even the best defender in his family. Both Mason and Marshall Plumlee are sitting above him.



I would trade Miles to Dallas for Nerlens Noel, the once touted prospect out of University of Kentucky. The money doesn't exactly match up right now...but Nerlens is due a big contract during free agency. Although Nerlens can be injury prone, he has shown his talent and clearly does not want to be in Dallas. He turned down a 4 year/$70 million offer from the Mavs, and instead signed a 1 year deal that will make him a free agent this coming summer. The Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle has also pulled Noel off of the court multiple times for his lack of "hard work and running".

Knowing that the Hawks need a real Center, adding Noel could be a worthwhile risk. They get a better defensive Center, more minutes per game, and an improvement in points, assists, rebounds and blocks per game. Sounds like an all around upgrade to me. Yes, the Hawks will have to spend some of that cap space to get him, but they may be able to get that annual money lowered, knowing that Noel can be injury prone.

STEP 2

If still available, draft Ayton in the lottery*.



The 7 foot Center has Arizona ranked 14th in the country, and they were as high up as #2. This Arizona team has cooled off recently, losing 3 games to unranked conference opponents since the New Year, and they are still the top team in the Pac-12. Despite the recent dip, Deandre Ayton is a freshman leading the way with 19.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game. If Ayton stays hot, he could be building his path to a top-3 pick in this coming draft, as well as a deep run for Arizona in the tournament.



Drafting Ayton helps bolster the position that could be losing Dewayne Dedmon and Mike Muscacla to player options. It also helps if the Hawks trade Plumlee for Noel, and could use the combination of Noel and Ayton to fill minutes at Center. Best case scenario? Dedmond stays, and mentors Ayton next season, to take over the year after that.



*Well now there's an issue with Arizona and allegations that Ayton was paid $100k to come to the school. So I guess this depends on if he is eligible.

STEP 3

Sign a Power Forward (either Derrick Favors or Ed Davis).



Losing Ersan Ilyasova at Power Forward is going to be just fine, as long as they sign someone who can play better than home. Knowing that Ilyasova was scoring over 10 points per game, the obvious choice of free agents would be Favors. He can play more minutes and can outrebound Ilyasova. It's going to cost a bit of money, knowing that Favors made $6 million more than Ilyasova this season. They need depth at that position and isn't expected to be covered in the draft.

STEP 4

Give extensions to John Collins and Tyler Dorsey



The young talent that the Hawks DO have need to be locked up. Can't afford to lose Collins or Dorsey for the future when they have been the only bright spots in an otherwise dumpster fire of a season. The model of picking good college players that translate to the NBA haven't been the Hawks' specialty, missing on several of their past picks. So when they do hit on a good pick or two, the organization needs to make them feel special and want to stay. With their last top 10 pick coming in 2007, Al Horford was, and still is, very useful in the NBA. (The Hawks were 1 pick away from landing Kevin Durant...oh what could have been)

STEP 5

Convince Quavo to play for the Hawks.



Even if only for one home game, get that man a contract and a uniform. The most recent Celebrity All-Star Game MVP, he put a clinic on the rest of the field, and is needed in the arena on a nightly basis.

STEP 6

Create more social media gold.



Can't win on the court? Just win off of it! The Hawks matched up against the Lakers this week and proceeded to roast Lakers fans that were wearing throwback jerseys. Doesn't sound too harsh, but when you're the worst team in your conference, you take what you can get.

STEP 7

Use those high draft picks.



The Hawks are in a good position this offseason with several good picks in rounds 1 & 2 for the NBA Draft. Instead of trading them away, the Hawks need a total rebuild, and pick up some great young talent. It is going to take time, but the Hawks have plenty of it after the great run they were on for the past 7 years.

STEP 8

Keep Hot Sauce roasting fans during Half Time.



Two of the hottest half time/mid game performances in the past year have come out of Atlanta. The Braves' "Beat" the Freeze, and the Hawks' Hot Sauce Challenge. They put butts in seats, regardless of what the actual game is that fans are coming to watch. The Hawks have created something that basketball fans all over are enjoying, and I think they should continue you it fo at LEAST 15 more years. Okay maybe 1 more year before they make it 3 fans against 1 Hot Sauce. Electric stuff.

STEP 9

Avoid free agents that are going to be $30+ million next year.



There are so many great free agents that are going to be for sale this summer, and not all of them are a great, or even good, idea. Veteran players like JJ Redick or Isaiah Thomas may seem like a good place to start the rebuilding process...but they are only going to lock up money on a losing team. Instead, go for players with less experience and are demanding less money, in order to keep the focus on your young talent and draft picks.

STEP 10

Recruit some help.



While having Quavo in the building would be a good pull to get fans, the Hawks need to do more. Set up half-time concerts of all home games with Atlanta talent. Ludacris, Migos, 2 Chainz, just to name a few. Have them perform and that can make the game more of an experience. This way the fans can forget about the losing they will have to endure for at least another season, and get good music (with some fantastic concert seats) in reutrn.