Post-NBA Free Agency power rankings
By John Buhler
Atlanta Hawks
East, Southeast
The Atlanta Hawks’ 10-year streak of consecutive playoff appearances is likely coming to an end this spring. New general manager Travis Schlenk has his club in the beginning stages of an honest rebuild. He does not want lengthy, long-term contracts in any capacity. At least he’s consistent.
However, that team building philosophy has led to All-Star power forward Paul Millsap going to the Denver Nuggets in free agency without an offer from his former club. Schlenk has traded center Dwight Howard to the division rival Charlotte Hornets for Miles Plumlee and Marco Belinelli in a glorified salary dump. Restricted free agent Tim Hardaway Jr. has signed an offer sheet with the New York Knicks worth $71 million over four years. Schlenk has opted not to match New York’s offer on Hardaway.
Atlanta did re-sign power forward Mike Muscala to a two-year, $10 million deal. That’s a favorable contract with a player that is very familiar with how things are done in Atlanta. Overall, Atlanta has an outside shot at making the Eastern Conference Playoffs for a few reasons. 1.) The East is still terrible. 2.) Atlanta has two solid starters in point guard Dennis Schroder and wing Taurean Prince 3.) Head coach Mike Budenholzer is elite at player development.
For those three reasons, there is reason to believe that Atlanta can overcome a mass exodus of star power this offseason and still compete for a seventh or eighth seed in the East. While Atlanta features a fickle fan base that will swiftly depart in a painful rebuild, there is a method to what Schlenk is doing. This team is a far cry from the 60-win club of 2014-15, but will be more competitive than other teams realize.