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NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 offseason needs for the Atlanta Hawks

By John Buhler

Mar 11, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) brings the ball up in the first quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) brings the ball up in the first quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 26, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer gestures from the bench against the Washington Wizards in the fourth quarter in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 26, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer gestures from the bench against the Washington Wizards in the fourth quarter in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Sort out the front office issues

None of these hypothetical offseason needs will matter until Atlanta gets its front office issues sorted out. It was shocking to say the least that preemptive news leaked about general manager Wes Wilcox being fired. Atlanta doesn’t let information like this get out. The Hawks have remained steadfast that the entire front office is being evaluated and nothing more.

Wilcox had been in the Atlanta front office as Danny Ferry’s assistant general manager before getting promoted to full-time in summer 2015. While he has drafted well the last two summers, free agency has not been the calling card of the Wilcox era of the Atlanta front office. The Bazemore contract is one of the 10-worst in the NBA. People are still questioning if replacing Horford with Howard was the right call. At best, it’s a push.

There was also a report that Budenholzer may end up rescinding his president of basketball operations title. He is still a great coach, but news of this could indicate more than Budenholzer accepting that he bit off more than he could chew.

It was largely inferred that Budenholzer received the president of basketball operations title in a way to keep him in Atlanta long-term. He did leave the San Antonio Spurs after 17 seasons in 2013 to be Atlanta’s head coach. Budenholzer did it mostly because of the previous working relationship he had with Ferry in San Antonio. With Ferry out of the picture and now in the New Orleans Pelicans front office, it is understandable why Atlanta opted to give Budenholzer the president of basketball operations title.

This potential front office shakeup seems to be coming down from new owner Tony Ressler. He doesn’t want to tank, but may wonder how Atlanta will find a way to get better with the current front office corps. Atlanta finally has stability at ownership. Don’t expect Atlanta to be rash in how they evaluate the personnel department.

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