The Atlanta Hawks extended their consecutive playoffs streak to 10 in a row with the fifth-best record in the Eastern Conference this season. After posting a 43-39 mark in the regular season, the Hawks nearly went the distance with the Washington Wizards in the opening round before bowing out in six games. Now the focus for Atlanta shifts to the offseason with some important decisions to make over the next couple of months. Dennis Schroder and Dwight Howard are locked in as core franchise pieces. How does the Hawks management plan to build around them? Here is a look at the offseason plan for Atlanta.
3 Things The Hawks Have To Work On
1. Decide On Millsap
The biggest question the Hawks will face this offseason is whether or not to bring back Paul Millsap. Last offseason, there were rumors that Atlanta was actively seeking a trade partner for Millsap with the Boston Celtics among the most likely buyers. However, the Hawks never found a trade partner and late in the year there was talk about the franchise’s desire to bring back their star forward. Millsap has proved he is Atlanta’s best player but he will be eligible for a max contract this summer worth upwards of $207 million over five years so the Hawks will be forced to make a decision on whether they want to pay him. The 32-year-old power forward still has a lot left in the tank. However, Atlanta might not want to pay him that much money over five years. The bottom line is that the Hawks have a major decision to make with Millsap that will have a tremendous impact on both the immediate and long-term future of the franchise.
2. Address The Wing Position
Atlanta will also need to address its small forward position at some point with some key decisions to make. Tim Hardaway Jr. is set to become a restricted free agent and while the Hawks will likely want to bring him back that will limit their flexibility when it comes to addressing the wing. Hardaway Jr. is a strong fit at shooting guard, but Kent Bazemore might be better suited at that position as well. Bazemore started on the wing this season but he is set to make close to $17 million next season and his contract limits Atlanta’s flexibility. The Hawks need to decide what to do with the wing position. That will mean some tough choices when it comes to Bazemore’s status, Hardaways RFA deal and whether or not they look to the open market for help at the position.
3. Fill Out The Roster
Howard and Schroder are locks to return in 2017-18. Bazemore is under contract but there is no guarantee he returns at that price. Millsap is an unrestricted free agent and Hardaway Jr. is a restricted free agent. Atlanta will have a number of key decisions to make. After they decide what to do with their starters they will need to fill out the remainder of their roster. Mike Muscala and Kris Humphries are set to hit the open market. Thabo Sefolosha, Ersan Ilyasova and Jose Calderon are all likely to join them. With only six guaranteed contracts on the books for next season, the Hawks clearly have their work cut out for them. After deciding what to do with the bigger names, Atlanta will need to figure out how to fill out the remainder of their roster.
Key Free Agents
Millsap is going to get paid. The only question is whether or not the Hawks are willing to spend the money on him. With only six bodies under contract there will be plenty of important decisions made. Atlanta will want to bring back Millsap and Hardaway in particularly. However, those two could command enough money to severely limit what the Hawks do in free agency. Atlanta will need to decide whether it makes more sense to bring back their own free agents or loo to the open market to fill their holes. The Hawks certainly have a busy NBA offseason ahead of them. It all begins with deciding on what to do with Millsap.
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