The NBA offseason is upon us, and with it, the opportunity — possibility, even — for the Hawks to improve their roster ahead of a season of optimism.
They’ve already made some waves, with some of their initial roster decisions:
- Agree to re-sign center Jock Landale, source says
- Decline Kuminga’s team option; forward now an unrestricted free agent
- Agree to acquire Devin Carter from Kings, source says
- Committed to continuity with Quin Snyder’s return
- Hawks, CJ McCollum agree to terms for extension, source says
As free agency officially opens on July 1, there’s likely more to come.
Check out our latest updates from Hawks beat writer Lauren Williams:
The Hawks have made quite a few moves so far this offseason. They could still have a few more ahead of them. But how do they stack up in the rapidly changing Eastern Conference so far?
If the Hawks stuck with the roster as it is right now, they have a pretty solid depth chart.
PG: CJ McCollum / Kingston Flemings / Devin Carter
SG: Dyson Daniels / Aaron Wiggins* / Buddy Hield
SF: Nickeil Alexander-Walker / Zaccharie Risacher / Corey Kispert
PF: Jalen Johnson / Asa Newell / Zuby Ejiofor / Mouhamed Gueye
C: Onyeka Okongwu / Jock Landale* / Henri Veesaar
*indicates transaction pending.
The Hawks have some shuffling, but they've brought back one of the NBA's most productive five-man units. They've also brought in some much-needed bench production with Wiggins, as well as their young guard, Flemings.
NBA offseason. Undefeated.
Yes, LeBron James is leaving the Lakers after eight seasons. Where does he go next? It's almost anyone's guess, but the idea that he'd go to the Golden State Warriors is the biggest storyline.
As the rumor goes, the Big Four would include James, Steph Curry, Anthony Davis and maybe Draymond Green. And former Hawks center Kristaps Porzingis also agreed to a new deal, so there's that.
This almost feels like they're reassembling the cast of Uncle Drew ... but IRL.
Will that roster be interesting? Yes.
Will that roster be healthy? Not very likely.
They'll sell tickets, especially on the road, but how many games will feature all four of them? Not very many, and that's the big question. It'll be a lite version of the LeBron's Heat squads, but with their ages and varying health issues and history, it's a valid question.
The Hawks announced that their trade with the Kings is official on Tuesday.
The team acquired guard Devin Carter and a 2033 second-round pick in exchange for the draft rights to Alpha Kaba, a 2017 second-round pick.
Selected by the Kings with the 13th overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, Carter averaged 8.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 18.4 minutes of action last season.
The move continues the Hawks' trend of finding low-risk, potentially high-reward moves that maintain their future financial flexibility.
The Hawks have agreed to bring back center Jock Landale, according to people familiar with the situation.
Landale averaged 10.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists, while shooting 38.3% from deep. He provided the Hawks with a strong center off the bench after the team acquired him in February.
The NBA offseason never disappoints.
Period.
There isn't a sports offseason quite like the NBA.
With its dramatic twists and turns with trades and free agency and players moving from team to team, there always seems to be something brewing in June and July.
The NBA draft and the first few days ahead of free agency provided some spicy developments, but with the calendar turning to July, there promises to be more coming.
About the Author
