ATLnightwing

If we got Shumpert in the deal, I would be happy. Shump can play either SG or SF, this would push Dennis to start. I would love this trade.

I miss the Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford years... Al Horford and Teague need a change of scenery for sure. I like them both but we aren't getting anywhere with them.

If Kobe and James Harden are considered chuckers than I say by all means bring Waiters.

I mean sh**, I hope I'm wrong too. The opportunities are there! Lets go for a guy like Waiters! When was the last time we had a dynamic scorer? When was the last time we had someone on the team who's exciting to watch?! We could go for a guy like Monroe! He has great fundamentals and post scoring ability that could for a big frontline with Horford and Millsap. The point I was just trying to make is that I don't see Ferry as an ambitious guy. I'm getting the idea that he's patient and is willing to take it slow. So for us hawks fans expecting an immediate impact player, well, we should keep dreaming...

The biggest move since Ferry came was the Joe Johnson trade, and even then, we didn't get anything in return but cap space. Since then? We all (definitely myself included) got super excited at last year's trade deadline. I recall waiting excitedly till the last second telling all my friends that a big trade is about to come, only to be disappointed. Same story last summer.Everyone was hyping up Dwight Howard and the arrival of other free agents. We did not get a big time star with all that money. Again, I was greatly disappointed. *Before anyone brings up Millsap, yes he is a pleasant surprise. No, I did not expect him to become an all-star, and I am happy for that. He's a great player, but not the team changer we were looking for. I give him credit for potentially keeping us in the playoffs this year. Here we are again, however, there's not as much trade hype for us at this deadline. Regardless, I honestly do not expect anything major or ground breaking. In fact, NOTHING notable will happen. Everyone always talks about Ferry having something up his sleeve. Maybe he doesn't? To me, it looks like he's just treading water hoping that someone just suddenly becomes good or a young guy blows up. To conclude my unfortunate semi-rant, it saddens me to say that I think we are going to be treading mediocrity for the next couple of years, similar to what the Bobcats and Kings are going through.

*for the 2014-2015 season ^ for the title Dennis SchröderEvan Turner Thad Young Paul Millsap Spencer Hawes 1.) How happy would you be if this was our starting lineup starting with next season? 2.) Predict the success of this team. My answers: 1.) I would be very happy with this squad. The team is fully balanced at each position. I think this would be the ideal scenario for us. This team, I think, keeps the door open for Turner and Schröder's development into stars. 2.) I'm not sure record wise, but this team could be a top 3 team in the east and could get far in the playoffs in my opinion.

Idk about finals but we would for sure be a force in the playoffs. I want him because he's 7'1 and can finally move Al to PF. Would be a great addition.

I agree on using Horford as a trade piece. Aside from his injury, I think it is time for change of scenery from both sides. No disrespect to the man. Now I would for sure prefer to trade Teague first.

Isn't KCP a Georgia product? Haha Anyway, from what I've heard, Detroit is desperate for change as their 3 big man line-up isn't working. I would not be surprised if the accepted something like that with Lou. Also, I see a lot of similarities between Dion Waiters and James Harden's situations in terms of being explosive bench scorers while being only 3rd options on their squads.

A lot of names have surfaced on the rumor mill (Monroe, Waiters, Turner, Hawes, Thad Young, etc.). Could a surprise trade be in the making? Will we finally get our "James Harden-type" surprise star? What realistic trade would you be hoping for? Personally, I would be more than content with any of the above. I see star potential in Monroe, Waiters, and Turner though. Bonus Question: We would have to obviously lose some players to get some. Who would you want to leave Atlanta? I would be ecstactic to have Lou Williams traded as the centerpiece from our end. I think in a reasonable deal, I would be ok with departing with Teague.

Who are the James Harden-like stars that would be available to us this Summer? Typically, these stars are either disgruntled stars looking for a new situation or young players with known potential that are ready to have their own team. Here's what I'm thinking: Rajon Rondo - Has been in trade rumors for a while. I think he's an unlikely trade target because coming to Atlanta would not be too different from his current situation. Plus this guy is a champion. Kevin Love- The primary target of this discussion. I think he's also unlikely. I think it is clear he's interested in going to a big market. Dion Waiters - not as established as James Harden was, but do you not see the similarities in their situations? Both were/are 6th man on their teams. Both are known scorers. Who knows? If you give Waiters his own team, he might explode like Harden. I think he is a realistic target. Greg Monroe- He has been in trade rumors. Detroit would prefer Josh Smith at the PF. We know he's capable of being a 20 and 10 player. If Detroit doesn't make the playoffs or struggles mightly again, I think he's going to be traded for sure. Maybe we can finally get a good center. I think he's a realistic target. Lance Stephenson- Another unlikely one, but I've had my eye on him this year. He is an unbelievable player, a near triple-double every night. He will likely resign this Summer, but if something goes wrong with the Pacers in the playoffs, I would love to target him as a FA. So in my opinion, I don't see many established stars on the market looking to be traded. More realistically, we go after a young player with potential to become one.

He averaged 10.2 rebounds last year. Right now he's averaging around 8 and declining. Especially with no Zaza at center this year, I think it's a cause for concern. Aside from rebounding, like I mentioned before, his poor free throw percentage and many turnovers are unlike him.

Can we all come to agreement that he is absolutely struggling in all aspects? His rebounding is so bad

So is it safe to say Horford can't even get on Toronto Chris Bosh or Kevin Love status? People view(ed) them as franchise players and labeled them as stars. Horford surely does not get the same treatment. People don't even know he's a 2 time All Star. I think people view him like an Al Jefferson or Rudy Gay. Just a good player.

That's a good point. A lot of people think Horf is the type of star that should be a secondary or even third best player on a contending team. Maybe this is what's bothering him? Maybe he's realizing he can't contend with this current Hawks team and teaming up with someone else on a different team might be his best option to get a ring?

It take's a lot of guts to make this thread, especially after the subject matter just hit a game-winner. In all fairness though, I have been planning to make this thread for a few weeks now, even strengthening parts of my argument while watching tonight's game. I predicted this season Al would be averaging AT LEAST 20ppg and 10 rebounds. I understand his new frontcourt mate, Millsap, is an excellent scorer and rebounder, however, I expected him to have a mindset of stepping up his game significantly. He has not been aggressive on the boards for the most part. A lot of times, I see Al defer to wing players to get an easy defensive rebound. I feel that as our primary big man, he should be striving to gobble up as many boards as he can to gain momentum. He has not been consistent offensively. Some games, I see runs where every play, the first instinct is to feed Al down low. I love when we do that. Sometimes I see him begging for the ball down low (which is good) ,other times not at all. This dude sometimes stands in the corner 3 pointer spot during guard isolation plays. What is our center doing? I remember watching a game a few years ago (not sure which one, I just know Hewbie Brown was commentating), and I remember in this game play after play we would just give the ball down low to Horford and he would straight abuse the defender by overpowering him. Hewbie kept referring to it as "bully ball". Where is this bully this year? His increase in turnovers and decrease in free throw percentage has also been standing out. I was really surprised to witness these, as typically these mistakes are uncharacteristic of him. My primary disappointment with Al doesn't come from him though. I feel he does not get enough minuets as leader of the team. Often times, he gets subbed out while scoring well. He has had a relatively healthy career and is clearly a stable player. He needs an increase in minuets, no doubt. In my opinion, I feel Coach Bud in general subs out the starters a little too much for a weak bench (Antić, Ayón, Jenkins). I predict he'll get better, but I'm not gonna lie, I thought he would be striving for that star status this year.

http://www.nba.com/games/20131024/MINDET/gameinfo.html?ls=slt Potential league 3 point shooting percentage leader?

Teague Korver Millsap Brand Horford Lou Dennis Brand is a proven vet that has been playing center lately. Him and Horf can alternate at the center/pf spots. I think this lineup is the most competative lineup we can have. We are only short at the center position this way. the 2004 pistons had 6'9 Ben Wallace as their starting center and 6'11 Rasheed at the PF. We can be similar to that. I mean look at the rest of out starting lineup. We have all vets with a young PG in Teague. I can see this lineup with solid bench production from Dennis and Lou actually playing well and going deep into the playoffs.

Another underachieving, under 6'11 center? Yessir! This offseason is just going great!

I agree. Also, the year we beat the Magic to get to the second round (with Jamal Crawford). I honestly thought we had a chance.

I said since 2008.

I remember the Hawk's PG problems. We were always saying that we always struck out on the PG spot. We kept saying this until Teague emerged against the Bulls in the playoffs. I was always asking myself how come we never discussed our gaping hole at center? Obviously now, a lot of us are starting to realize that we missed out on a center again. Let's think about it for a second. When was the last time we had a true center (above 6'11) that was actually good? I'm talking about since our competitive era so since 2008. Zaza Pachulia doesn't cut it in my opinion. It just baffles me that our star power forward expressed the fact that he is better not starting at center and yet we still DONT HAVE A CENTER. I am a big proponent of having players play their natural positions to maximize their abilities. I liken Al Horford to Chris Bosh when he was in Toronto or Lamarcus Alrdrige or even Kevin Love. These are franchise players that when given their own team, average well above 20ppg. I feel that if we start Horford at center again, he is stuck averaging below 20ppg and not making the all-star team. Thoughts?

This makes him look amazing and everybody else like absolute garbage haha.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=OX2-moFPG6Q#at=221 Two things I pulled out of this: - He reiterates the fact that he prefers to play PF. - He mentions that the two complimentary centers in the NBA that he would prefer to play with are Noah and Asik. Why would he mention Asik? Maybe a trade coming? Probably not.

I think Brandan Wright is close to being with the Mavs. I'd be happy with Dalembert or Mozgov. Does Mozgov have injury problems? It appears he hasn't played many games in his career.