I’m bummed. I was really excited for this Hawks team. I feel like I was excited too early though. I’m hoping next year is the year that the Hawks are playoff-bound and Trae Young gets some more respect around the league. If the Hawks wanted to be patient, they can make the playoffs later on down the road. They’ve set up a good foundation to grow on and will have at least some success no matter what. If they wanted to speed up the process though, they can be in the playoffs as soon as next year. Here are the Atlanta Hawks offseason needs to do that.
Get Some Veterans
It’s very uncommon for teams with ultra young teams to have a chance at the playoffs. The Grizzlies are doing that this year, but it just isn’t something you see on a yearly basis. I thought the Hawks could have done what the Grizzlies did this year, but it just seems their young talent is just not enough to make that happen. The Hawks young players are decent, but they’re just role players, not that much starter material. Outside of Trae Young and John Collins, the other Hawks did not do that much. Although, throughout the season this year, the Hawks acquired Dewayne Dedmon and Clint Capela. They will definitely help in the frontcourt for the Hawks.
But, outside of Trae Young, there’s not a lot of starter material to work with. They need some wings and veterans to help the young guys flourish. They have Kevin Huerter, Cam Reddish, and De’Andre Hunter. But those guys aren’t ready to be a starter. If the Hawks can find a 2 and a 3 with those guys as backups? Man, I am really feeling this Hawks team.
Be Smarter
This is mostly for Trae Young. I know he’s young but as good as he is, he needs to start making adjustments in his game. He almost averages 30 PPG and has 9 APG, the only problem is that he averages almost 5 Turnovers a game. Although that is still a 2:1 assist to turnover ratio, that is still bad. He has to take care of the ball better and that might help his team more. Look, I know he’s young, literally Trae Young (*Crickets*), but you don’t average 5 turnovers and have much success. Don’t even bring up James Harden because he’s only just a better Carmelo Anthony. All stats, no winning. The Hawks are still a green team, but shit is about to get real, real fast, and they need to be able to play the big boy game and not turn the ball over. It’s simple.
Other than that, I don’t have much else for the Hawks. I could have said the Hawks need a Head Coach, and it crossed my mind. I want to see if the head coach can be better next season. If not, then next year for the Atlanta Hawks offseason needs for 2021, I’ll be name dropping him. Do you hear me, Lloyd Pierce?! The Hawks have a great foundation and a good frontcourt to be better next season. Depending on how they use the 19 million from Jeff Teague’s expiring contract will tell them how far though.
