National Basketball Association

The Hawks are About to Fight for Their Future

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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There was plenty of change over the offseason for a team that rarely sees such commotion. Have the Atlanta Hawks found the championship formula, or will it blow up in their face?

The Atlanta Hawks for some years now have been like Hollywood. They’ve had a way of playing basketball for several seasons now and never really tried to adapt or change. That has changed though as they implemented the Spurs’ system with Mike Budenholzer and made plenty of alterations to the identity of their team. This upcoming season is important in whether it’ll show if even more adaption is needed. However, this team definitely won’t be a rehash.

This past offseason saw the heavily covered departure of Atlanta Hawks stalwart Al Horford. He was a player fans could never see wearing a jersey without Atlanta on the front. Well now he is rocking Boston attire. Taking a look back to the future, the Hawks may face a similar problem. Atlanta’s faithful don’t need a DeLorean to fear the upcoming free agency of All-Star Paul Millsap.

Millsap’s Last Crusade

The playmaking power forward has been a recent staple of this teams identity for the past three seasons, easily being its best overall player. However, as he begins his fourth year as a Hawk on Thursday, it could be his last. Millsap has the option to opt-out of his recent extension. With the exponential trajectory the salary cap has been on the past few seasons, he’d be crazy not to. It isn’t a stretch to say that other franchises would love a player of his caliber in their ranks.

Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Due to this potential blow to the roster, the front office is rumored to trade the All-Star if the season looks to take an unsavory dip into mediocrity. This would be understandable, as the Hawks would then consecutively lose both members of possibly the best frontcourt in the East for nothing if they didn’t shop him . It should be noted, however, that even a trade would’t be so fruitful since trading for Millsap would essentially be a midseason rental. The potential loss of another franchise face isn’t the only issue clouding the franchise’s future.

The Hawks’ New Platoon

Atlanta’s front office decided to show their gambling side this summer, taking risks by signing the polarizing (but talented) Dwight Howard and trading away steady point guard Jeff Teague. Their goal was to light a fire under a team that, even with Horford, seemed to be stuck on a treadmill. The hope now is that unleashing Denis Schröder and pairing him with Howard will put the Hawks on the track to the Finals. Of course relying on an unproven youngster and an aging big man is a risk, which could backfire, and could lead to giving Millsap more incentive to leave. So the Hawks’ “top men” better hope they placed the right bets.

As mentioned, the season starts on Thursday against the rival Wizards. With contests against them, the Sacremento Kings, LA Lakers, and the especially lowly Philadelphia 76ers to start the year, the Hawks have a great opportunity to build early momentum. Fans should hope so because with the trade deadline lurking in February, a lack luster start could lead to the trade of the Hawks top gun. But that would only be the beginning, as a slow start and sub-par finish could lead to the team blowing up the entire roster with no championship in sight.

The Stakes are Heavy

So as the season quickly approaches, this roster has plenty to play for. They must give Paul Millsap reason to stay and instill confidence in their new depth chart. Fans should still get excited. This team does have the makings of something fun and special with Schröder’s fire, Dwight’s dunking, and Millsap’s leadership. This team was put together for a reason. Although, the front office’s moves were risky business for a franchise in such a delicate position. The Hawks will be fighting the future. They won’t necessarily be going up against terminators, but these Hawks will have to do everything in their power to stay in position to “win the whole damn thing”.