Wretch

Hold on. Say what now @Wretch...? Oh. Yeah, that's what I thought Wretch said. Wait... Did I just refer to myself in 3rd person? Well yeah but before that you tagged yourself. Dude, who are you talking to? Who are YOU talking to? (Awkward silence) I dunno honestly. I was just coming to this thread to find something I thought I said and toot my own damn horn...but it's just gotten weird now. Jalen Johnson is dope y'all.

I'm just now getting around to watching the Wiz game. I've been high on Jalen since his SL debut...but after watching this game and the growing synergy between him and Trae, I'm starting to REALLY believe. My Spidey-sense goes off every time I see those two start off on the break together.

I know Soth. I'm not worried about them making bad moves as much as I'm lamenting the fact that I actually like THIS team and it sucks that it's not working. I know that we have to do something, but I have a strange attachment to this squad top to bottom. I honestly just like this group of guys and every game I tune in hoping it will be the spark that turns things around. For those who would chime in, I'm aware that I am living in the past. I know the ECF fairytale is over - been over and time to let it go. Still stings...especially with the high hopes I had for DJ. I wasn't as high on his game as most were, but I loved his attitude. I thought for sure we were there man.

I know we are getting conflicting reports and whatnot...but I really want this to be true and I want it to turn out for the best. It sucks watching one of my favorite Hawk teams slide into mediocrity and get pulled apart piece by piece.

I'm also on "team believe." There is nothing wrong with Trae and DJ. JJ does look like a star in the making and if he is, then he's the answer to what people perceive is wrong with our offense. I don't know if we can win the East, but the potential in JJ is a start. I would only add that if JJ isn't going to be that player, then we have to find him - and not turn down an opportunity to bring him in if it's on the table.

Also...if we trade Jalen Johnson for a Siakam rental, I'm out for the season and for the foreseeable future if it turns into just a rental.

These dudes know that we hang on every word they say and every little thing they do on social media. Especially during "" season. At the very least, it's an odd choice and it sucks if it has come down to sending signals and trade requests. If there's a problem with fit or performance, it has more to do with how the team as a whole is constructed. If we're moving on from DJ, I would rather it be less messy/personal and good for all parties involved. I got nothing but love for dude. The "off the ball" conversation is a tired one. Especially because every conversation on the Squawk seems to always settle into two very polarized, "either/or" camps. Nobody believes Trae is Steph. We stopped comparing their styles years ago. They are two very good and extremely different ball players. The bottom line is every team with more than one star player has to figure out how use them together and get the most out of them while they don't have the ball in their hands. Whether you think that means cutting around 50 screens or getting a dominant big man to play inside/out...to get the most out of Trae, there has to be someone for the defense to be concerned about away from the ball when he has it or you have to get him away from the ball with a secondary facilitator/scoring threat. Otherwise, we're going to keep seeing the team fade during key possessions and especially in the clutch. Having said it multiple times in interviews, DJ himself thought he would be that difference maker coming here. I don't blame him that it's not working out, but it doesn't change what the team needs offensively if we're going to build it around Trae.

Oh man.........what!? Hold on. I gotta turn the Zion-Trae music down a little so I can think clear lol I mean, ideally you pair Trae with an impact big man, but...there's absolutely nobody higher on my wishlist than Brandon Ingram.

The most important thing to building a contender for me is timing. Trying to get Zion at draft time would have been nigh impossible. Trying to get Zion now doesn't sound impossible and might actually be worthwhile for all parties. Trying to get Zion {if he beats the stigma} becomes nigh impossible again. Even if he isn't the answer, this is the kind of thing that moves the needle. Much as I don't agree with @NBASupes trying to get rid of Trae, the Booker deal is something you consider given timing and circumstances. Depending on the timing, it's not a reactionary move. Same with Zion. That's not reactionary, that's the door opening up on a franchise level talent. Availability changes depending on timing. I don't know how it is for other fanbases, but the Squawk (and even Hawks management) seems to always be waiting on the perfect timing (or the perfect serviceable big man) to make a deal. These things don't exist.. What happens is we mark our sacred cows and we hold onto these assets for too long. We are very fond of incremental change and tweaks. I'm actually ok with tweaking the roster. I'm with @Diesel. I have faith in our core and I think we're close with the right mix of tweaks. Regardless, I would gamble on a game changer like Zion. I would pull that trigger with zero regrets. ^^This is "fat" Zion out here destroying the NBA. I have zero concerns about his health, attitude, or rebounding if I could pair him with Trae in his prime. If he's available, it's too good to pass up. Even if it goes bad, it'll be like going out in an unholy blaze of glory...lol

LOL... Y'know, one of the fun/interesting things for me about the Squawk is watching how all of our alliances shift during the different eras. It's crazy watching us take different positions on things. One day, we're yuk'yukin it up...then one day we are mortal enemies. lol I'm on the Zion Trae tho. Sorry man, I'm 100% sold on the pairing and I'll take all the toldjaso's if we get him and it flops. For the record, I do have concerns and I'm not confident that he could succeed in any environment. I'm not suggesting that at all and it could go downhill for him elsewhere. Absolutely. This is the ideal landing spot for him though and short of adding a Giannis or Embiid type stud, he is the next best thing {potentially} for Trae. I imagine that's why they covet him (along with the surplus of asses he and Trae would fill Statefarm with...good lord).

Man, if we get Zion....lol, you heard it here first! The ZION-TRAE IS COMING OUR WAY!

It's bittersweet for me. The team was fantastic, but for the first time in 30 years I had completely given up on the Hawks. At the beginning of the season, I saw another middling team and after years of the treadmill, I had enough of it. Danny Ferry's vision didn't sit well with me. A blue collar team, without a star, building through late 1st rounders and whatever decent FA's would agree to come here. Pete Babcock and Lenny Wilkens had an ideology that they called "win without losing." The idea was the same: make the playoffs, stay out of the lottery, focus on team over prolific individual contributors. At the end of the day, this is a star driven league and pretty much, the path to acquire star talent is in the opposite direction of this strategy. It was hard watching the team succeed at first. It wasn't so much putting my foot in my mouth. I honestly felt horrible for trashing the team and giving up. I was a full on hater and it was completely out of character for me. I have a very limited tolerance for front office guys and coaches, but I ALWAYS see the best in every player we have. In terms of comparing our front office now to then... I didn't like Danny Ferry, all of the in-fighting, and the implications of his own words and his comfort level with the chatter taking place behind the scenes. From the beginning of Ferry's tenure to the start of Trae's era, I was almost completely disconnected from the team. At one point, I had even left the Squawk as we were polarized over the circus that was our front office. Needless to say, I appreciate where we are as an organization infinitely more - regardless of our current record. In terms of the team itself, there was nothing to not like. I didn't have a lot of faith that it was sustainable, but they were a joy to watch in the moment. Even though it was a total team effort, I believe Kyle Korver was the star of the show. We were dialed in and hitting 3's when we needed to...but KK was the big gun punishing the defense. Man, if I could go back in time and put prime KK on this team..........

We are both from alternate realities... This never happened on the timeline we are from I was trying to figure out who the hell it was. I'm sitting here like... There is absolutely no way that I can't identify a Hawks player, let alone someone who is supposedly our highest played player.

Year six just starting... The hate and disrespect our guy gets is just downright...bizarre.

I don't know why it's so hard for people to understand this... We GOT one. We finally got one and he's absolutely amazing. We have to do what it takes to put the right team around him. You know GM's and fans around the league are salivating....just waiting for the door to crack open on his availability.

I mean......................... I like Draymond. A LOT. I think he's the kind of venom that every team needs. Much as I dislike him. I love him. That said.... LOL...c'mon man. My guy is out here kicking dudes in the nuts, stomping ninjas out, snapping necks, and tornado back-handing cats. ROTMFFLMMFAO...this the same jive turkey that gave his own teammate the absolute coldest and cleanest fade the NBA has EVER seen. I'm sorry dude, but he's being penalized because he's trying to take out half the basketball universe and he has to be stopped...!

Missed this update, thanks Soth. My thoughts here... I would only include AJ on a blockbuster upgrade. I am not a fan of "throwing in" players to make it work for lateral moves - where the throw in player has legitimate upside. The idea that a backup guard and 2 tsps of defensive dust is going to magically transform this mediocre team into a contender is absurd. I agree 100% with Trae. Hopefully we're monitoring availability to pounce on something. There's a small (and shrinking) window of potential with a few assets on this team. Not that I want to include JJ, but him + the pool of available guys around him could make for a solid deal. At this point, it's just PT/opportunities and some mental blockers. There's no way this dude has forgotten how to shoot in a single offseason. Lastly, about Siakam... I have coveted Siakam for years. His ability to move the needle defensively for us might be questionable (going by @Sothron's comments re: Toronto fans). However, I've watched him for a long time and his reputation for being a solid defender is legit. Honestly, it may just be a matter of motivation and his current situation. His ability to draw defenders into the paint is what's key here. If he can be a reliable post option that has to be respected, he's a good passer out of the post and it will open up opportunities for Trae and others. His 3pt shooting absolutely mortifies me. To me, that is as big a "YIKES" as some people see Zion's mental/physical health. If the inside/out game doesn't work with him, then we are literally back to square one with the offense - taking turns in the midrange. His age is a concern, but a little bit less. He's got a good 3-4 years in him. IF-IF-and-IF... IF - he hasn't fallen off defensively for some reason IF - his 3pt shooting is an anomaly or just the product of shot selection/circumstance like (he has been trash out there for a few years now) AND IF - his legs are on the +side of ~30 Then we should have a good 3-4 year window to compete. I would be okay with that, but not at a premium cost. Absolutely not. That's a gamble as is bringing him here and expecting him to stay. Which brings up my final point, no way I'm giving up anything substantial for him. He is a rental. The rental of rentals who wants out and should cost pennies on the dollar. For me, the bottom line is that he helps, and it could turn out fantastic if the stars align. Otherwise, Siakam is just "help" and not the "answer" we're looking for. Especially not long term.

I mean....lol

If the trade was reversed, and Trae was putting up these numbers in any other city, the media would celebrate him. Meanwhile, we'd have this pretty good, but not great player that needs to be less selfish and play better defense to take the next step. The haters battle cry would be, "He's great regular season player. He puts up great stats, but his defense is killing us. I'd trade him for Jalen Brown in a heartbeat." It really is a case of both teams getting an elite player. Haters have just bought into the popular narrative - aka the Hype Machine as you like to put it.