It’s expected to be a busy offseason for the Atlanta Hawks following a disappointing 2022 season coming off an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021.
Comments from principal owner Tony Ressler this week reinforced the belief that Atlanta will be a major player in terms of potential trades and free agency activity in the coming months, and CEO Steve Koonin told Dukes & Bell on 92.9 The Game that the team “is open for business.” Nick Kayal was pleased to hear that and says that an "overhaul" needs to occur this summer.
While the front office could go in a number of directions when it comes to reworking the roster, Kayal believes that acquiring another scorer to pair with Trae Young needs to be priority number one. As far as who that may be, Kayal expressed that the Hawks’ brass should do everything in their power to bring Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from Oklahoma City to Atlanta if he is available.
“That cat can play. He would be the perfect pairing in the backcourt with Trae. He’s 6’6. He can play off-ball, he can play with the ball. He can be the ‘1.’ He can be the ‘1A.’ We could have Trae Young at 28-9 per game. Gilgeous-Alexander can get you 25-5-5 across the board per game, and oh by the way, you would have a go-to bonafide volume scorer when Trae is on the bench taking a break," he said.
Languishing on the second-worst team in the Western Conference, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 24.5 points per game in 2022—a career high.
Outside of Young, Kayal believes that every other player on the Hawks’ roster should be made available in a trade. Additionally, he’s willing to part with significant draft capital, which OKC has been willing to stockpile under GM Sam Presti.
Whether or not the former Kentucky Wildcat is available is another question after he signed a massive five-year, $$172 million deal back in August. Lead NBA writer for NBC Sports Kurt Helin joined 92.9 The Game to say that while it would be expensive for the Hawks, it’s not impossible that the Thunder may move him.
The free agent market isn’t flooded with top talent this offseason, but Kayal mentioned Bradley Beal as an intriguing option for Atlanta.
The flurry of activity won’t begin until the NBA Playoffs are over, but when it does, expect the Hawks to be front and center.