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2015 NBA Free Agency: The Big Question For Every Team

By Gerald Bourguet

Nov 4, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) drives past Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) during the third quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) drives past Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) during the third quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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2015 NBA free agency
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 /

Atlanta Hawks

Can the new ownership keep an Eastern contender intact?

Danny Ferry is out as general manager, the Atlanta Hawks have a new ownership group fronted by Tony Ressler and Grant Hill, and the team is coming off the best season in franchise history since the Hawks moved from St. Louis. But if the 2015 NBA Draft was any sort of indicator, head coach Mike Budenholzer, assistant GM Wes Wilcox and CEO Steve Koonin might need some help.

With the 15th pick in the draft, the Hawks had plenty of viable options to improve their bench and add some youth and depth. Instead, they traded their selection (Kelly Oubre Jr.) in a three-team trade that netted them Tim Hardaway Jr. The young Hardaway is a serviceable backup, but little else; Oubre has the potential to be great.

It makes sense that the Hawks sacrificed the future for the present, especially if DeMarre Carroll leaves in free agency this summer. But opting for a wing who didn’t start more than 30 games on the league’s worst team and shot under 39 percent from the field last season seems like a bad choice when Oubre, Sam Dekker and Bobby Portis were all still available.

With Carroll and Paul Millsap hitting unrestricted free agency (and Pero Antic becoming a restricted free agent), the Hawks have their hands full when it comes to keeping a 60-win team intact. Will the new ownership group — coming off a shaky first draft — be able to re-sign everyone to give this core another crack at the Cleveland Cavaliers?

Next: Boston Celtics