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Atlanta Hawks: 5 Questions Heading Into The Offseason

By Gerald Bourguet

May 13, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) restrains forward DeMarre Carroll (5) after an altercation with Washington Wizards forward Paul Pierce (not shown) during the second half in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Wizards 82-81. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
May 13, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) restrains forward DeMarre Carroll (5) after an altercation with Washington Wizards forward Paul Pierce (not shown) during the second half in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Wizards 82-81. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (center) reacts during the fourth quarter in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Philips Arena. Cavaliers won 94-82. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Has This Team Reached Its Peak?

Let’s assume for a minute that everything goes according to plan for the Hawks this summer. They give Millsap and Carroll their much-deserved raises and re-sign them, keeping the Teague-Korver-Carroll-Millsap-Horford core together for another go-round in the lowly Eastern Conference.

Automatically, they’re one of the best teams in the East because, hey, it’s the East. But how do they round out the roster from there?

Re-signing Carroll and Millsap will soak up the majority of Atlanta’s cap space, leaving them with minimal room to bolster the team’s depth/re-sign Pero Antic. Antic is by no means a necessity, but isn’t it reasonable to assume this team needs some serious bench upgrades to have a chance of competing with the Cavs again next year?

Don’t forget, this is Cleveland’s first season together, with most of the complementary pieces joining the team halfway through the season. If the Cavs can keep their significant free agents this summer, they’re the automatic favorite in the East. Keeping Atlanta’s core intact might not be enough to give the Hawks an advantage over a juggernaut in the making.

So even if the Hawks re-sign everyone, the question needs to be asked: has this team reached its peak?

For the time being, the answer to that question should still be “no.” Mike Budenholzer just won Coach of the Year, but this was only his second year on the job and it was his first time taking a team that far into the playoffs. Horford, Millsap, Teague? They all had never been there before either.

Carroll, Korver and Teague are coming off career seasons. Schroder, despite being a major detriment to his team in the playoffs, is only going to get better. Kent Bazemore proved he can help this team and we have to wonder if the Hawks might have put up a better fight with a healthy Thabo Sefolosha.

If the Hawks can keep their core intact, they’ll need help rounding out the roster. But there’s no reason to start declaring this team dead — especially in the East — despite the disappointing finish to the year.

Next: Golden State Warriors: 5 Reasons To Remain Calm For Game 5

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