Exit Survey: 3 offseason goals for the underachieving Atlanta Hawks

3 of 4

WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 04: John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks goes to the basket against Kyle Kuzma #33 of the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on March 4, 2022 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

3 offseason goals for the underachieving Atlanta Hawks 2. Find their co-star

Young is one of the top young players in the league, and as long as he is in town, they are going to be able to win some games. But part of taking the next step, as was exposed in the playoffs, was not having a legitimate co-star who can take some of the burden off of Young when defenders zone in on him.

If you look at every remaining team left in the postseason, they have that guy. This doesn’t even necessarily have to come via a trade or through free agency, although there is a good chance that it will. Instead, it could come from within, with the Dallas Mavericks the most successful version of this right now.

It is no coincidence that Jalen Brunson is up for a new contract this summer, but while raising his level of play in order to secure a big payday, he has become a real second option next to Luka Doncic. It’s not likely to get them past the Phoenix Suns, but the Doncic missing time in the first round Brunson was a big factor in them beating the Utah Jazz.

Compare that to the Hawks. When Young is out for any meaningful amount of time, the ship sinks rapidly. Who is their second-best player? John Collins? Probably, but if he is your second-best player in a series, then where are you going? He has the highest ceiling though, and this might look very different in 12 months.

Clint Capela is a serviceable big man who might be underrated at this stage, but he doesn’t move the needle. Onyeka Okongwu suddenly morphed into a quality defender in the playoffs, but he’s not the kind of two-way guy who can help for long stretches. Bogdan Bogdanovic? Again really good, but he’s better as the unexpected “he got 25 points tonight in a road win” type of role. All of which is to say, the Hawks need to establish that second guy, and quick.

Home/Atlanta Hawks