Despite similar end-of-season results from the Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans Pelicans, and Sacramento Kings, each team has glaring needs to address to improve their rosters and compete in their respective conferences. Atlanta and Sacramento reached the play-in, while New Orleans lost in the first round to Oklahoma City after advancing in the final play-in game, beating Sacramento.
Each team has some steps to take in order to truly contend for a championship, as all three teams have the potential to get into the second round as a realistic ceiling, as currently constructed. However, financial decisions are looming for each team, who will have to make some tough roster choices, and potentially move on from franchise cornerstones.
The Atlanta Hawks have hit the jackpot! With just a three percent chance of winning the NBA draft lottery, the Hawks got some 'draft lottery luck', giving them the first pick in this year's draft. After making the postseason play-in tournament this season, Atlanta has an unheard-of level of flexibility to decide their franchise's future. Will the Hawks elect to keep their core intact, or are the trade rumors true? Only time will tell.