The Atlanta Hawks’ roster could look dramatically different next season. The 19th overall selection at the 2017 NBA Draft has the potential to serve as either a piece to add depth or start a rebuilding process in Atlanta.
The team fielded by the Atlanta Hawks on opening night for the 2017-18 NBA season could look dramatically different than the current group of players on the roster.
Newly hired general manager Travis Schlenk has to determine if the team is willing to present All-Star forward Paul Millsap, who opted out of his contract with the team a week ago, with a maximum contract when free agency begins next month.
Following a breakout season, Tim Hardaway Jr. could command a large contract as a restricted free agent this summer. If both players join another team this summer, Atlanta will have to find players to replace the 4,500 minutes the two combined to play this year.
Along with two of the top three point scorers from this season, Ersan Ilyasova, Mike Muscala, Kris Humphries, Jose Calderon and Thabo Sefolosha are all set to become unrestricted free agents on July 1.
Atlanta enters the 2017 NBA Draft unsure if it is selecting players to add depth to a roster that has earned a playoff berth in 10 consecutive seasons, or is choosing a player to begin a rebuilding effort.
Schlenk has helped find gems for Golden State throughout the draft and he will have plenty of talented players to choose from with the 19th overall pick this year. Here are five potential additions to the Hawks’ roster.