Atlanta Hawks Must Resist Temptation to Preserve Status Quo

The Atlanta Hawks seem to have reached an insurmountable hurdle in the Eastern Conference. 

Swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers two years in a row, it’s time for the front office to look in the mirror and evaluate whether that’s a satisfying plateau.

Atlanta has enjoyed nine straight playoff appearances, but simply partaking in the festivities has to be getting old by now. The Hawks have made it past the second round just once during this period, never truly establishing themselves as serious title contenders—not even after setting a franchise record with 60 regular-season wins in 2014-15.

The offseason is unlikely to open new doors during the impending cap boom. Atlanta will compete with almost every other team for free-agent signatures, and there won’t be much wiggle room if it re-signs its own players.

This year’s conclusion and the Hawks’ financial situation could make for a natural break, but it will take boldness to give up the comfort of security.

The Al Horford Dilemma

Before the Hawks can address anything else, they must figure out what to do with Al Horford, who is entering unrestricted free agency. Teams will be lining up to pitch him, and the abundance of cap space around the league makes such a coveted player a lock for a max deal.

Horford has spent his entire nine-year career in Atlanta, and while he emphasizes that winning is crucial, emotional ties will undoubtedly play a part in his impending decision.

“There are a lot of things that we need to address,” Horford said, according to ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk. “But the biggest thing for me is I feel good here. I have a great relationship with Coach. That is important to me and my teammates. Atlanta is a city that welcomed me from the first day. … I like the way the team is going, I feel like we can win here.”

The Hawks will have a financial advantage in the sweepstakes as well, as Horford is eligible for a five-year, $145 million contract, according to hawksfanatic of Peachtree Hoops. That’s an extra year and approximately $38 million more than other teams can offer.

Horford is undoubtedly one of the most unique and consistent post men in the league. He has seamlessly adjusted to the NBA’s infatuation with small ball, evolving as a prototypical modern big with fast feet and shooting range. While there are players who possess similar skills, few are as adept on both ends of the court.

However, there should be underlying concerns, such as the length of the contract. He might not be overly reliant on athleticism, and developing a three-point shot helps bigs age gracefully, but the deal could still look very ugly at its tail end. The thought of paying a 34-year-old Horford $32.5 million should make Atlanta at least a little queasy.

The Hawks already went through a similar situation when they gave a 29-year-old Joe Johnson a six-year, $119 million deal in 2010. Horford is a significantly better player, and no one will cringe if Atlanta maxes him out, but the circumstances …

continue reading in source www.bleacherreport.com