Bankingitbig

I agree that people will vilify a player based on performance, but I think when it comes to trades, people think we can turn Teague (an above-average PG at a saturated position with a 1year deal) for a young, somewhat proven player at a position in higher demand, which just isn't going to happen. I think you will always find conflicting viewpoints or trajectories from the fan base, but let's be honest.. A lot of the fan base doesn't know the true value of a player (because they aren't having discussions with other GMs), nor do they even fully understand contracts/salary cap. The most I hear about is how the Hawks need to get a superstar, as if superstars just grow on trees and you can easily pick one out. What superstar would be even available? The only one I can think of is Melo (and he even has a no trade clause). Would I want to give up Millsap and probably a lot of other pieces for him? Probably not. Obviously we should stick with Budball because no one on our team is that good at Iso. I don't know about moving up in the trade honestly because who knows what other teams are asking for in order to move up (but I don't think this is really the draft to move up in). I could see us doing a SnT with Horford, but have no idea who we would get. But more realistically, I could see us resigning Horford and letting Baze walk. Going hard after Batum and drafting someone like Prince (who Bud has shown time and time again that he can develop). I would be very happy with a lineup of Teague/Korver(THJ)/Batum/Millsap/Horford with Dennis on the 2nd unit. Maybe we could also make a move with Splitter to add another piece, who knows.. Do I think that team beats a healthy Cavs? No probably not, but I see us getting at least two games and who knows what could happen with injuries. Do I think any moves we make this offseason get us a championship? No probably not (unfortunately) and I think people need to realize that and be patient, which is hard to do.

Also, I don't think you can compare the Hawks FO moves to that of the Cavs, Warriors and Spurs because players are willing to take massive paycuts to play with those teams. No one is willing to do that for the Hawks YET, but I definitely believe Bud is turning the tide in terms of making ATL a more attractive option for FAs, especially the way he has gotten JYD, Baze and Millsap paid.

We definitely do not need a new coach. Look at what Bud has done with our roster compared to other teams. He rejuvenated Korver, got Demarre and now Baze paid, made Millsap an all-star and has developed Dennis a lot from where he was his first year. I think he has overachieved with our roster. Now Budcox has really only been around for 1 year now.. And this is what they have done: Traded 15th pick for Hardaway Jr. (time will tell on this and I still trust Bud to develop THJ, who is probably our most athletic player on the roster) Signed Kris Humphries (I think we all agree this was a positive) Traded Mack/Holiday for Hinrich (basically just financial flexibility) Received Splitter for practically nothing (this was regarded as a good move at the time to help solve our rebounding issues) Re-signed Millsap (definitely a positive) Traded Payne for future 1st round (a positive) People want to criticize them for not making a deal at the trade deadline, but NO ONE knows what was being offered. All-in-all, I think people have huge biases and overestimate the value of Hawks' players in trades as compared to other teams' players, and also overvalue an unproven draftee. We all also have no clue what offers are seriously being thrown around or not.

76ers are definitely not giving up Covington that easy. Wing players like him are in such high demand. Also, I don't think Teague (and his one year contract) has the value to do a one-for-one trade for Okafor. Plus, Bud would hate Okafor for his awful defense, but it would be nice to have his scoring on the 2nd unit.

Utah needs a PG as well. I think people seriously overestimate the contribution of Draft players vs. already proven NBA players. A lot draftees are busts and out of the league after their first contract. This is also a 2-person draft (Simmons and Ingram), so not sure if its the one that the Hawks should be busting the bank to trade up.

I don't see that happening because that trade would have been made already at the deadline. I also don't think Teague has that much value.

I could see Philly offering the #24 and #26th pick for Jeff, but curious if Budcox would go for that or if they could get a better offer elsewhere. I wonder how valuable Covington is to Philly. Also I can see Boston being very active with all their picks and the 3rd pick (since it's really a 2-person draft).

I think a case can be made for Paul Millsap on the second team All-NBA if Draymond Green is slotted as a Center. That would make Paul a superstar by his definition..

Doubt it happens, but I can definitely see it. Why wouldn't a team who strongly values the 3pt shot want Horford? Also, Horford would have no problems running the PnR and PnP with Harden.

I think a case can be made for having a 34% 3pt shooter at the 3pt line instead of in the paint in order to open up space for the offense and provide for lanes for people to drive/cut.

Teams can begin talking to players and negotiating contracts on July 1st, but contracts cannot be signed until July 7th. Generally, free agents will give verbal agreements before July 7th, which will most likely be the case for Al.

Millsap is never going to start at the 3. If we go for Howard, then Horford is gone.

Right now Al is a 9 year veteran, so his max salary starts at 30% of the salary cap. Al could gamble on himself and do a 1+1 contract (player option in second year) in order to be considered a 10 year veteran, which would allow his max to be 35% of the salary cap. Theoretically, he would then opt out of the contract after that one year and sign his last contract, pushing for the 35% max. I don't see Al doing this due to his age and he has publically stated that he values the 5 year contract that the Hawks are able to provide (due to birds rights), while other teams can only offer 4 year contracts. In your scenario - I think the 2nd deal is better for the Hawks, as at least two more guaranteed years of Al would be better than one (and not quite as bad as paying a 35 year old max money). But that contract will never happen. It's quite a bit below his max and he wouldn't sign only a 4 year deal I don't think. Most likely scenario is Al gets the 5-year contract, but negotiates to take a small paycut (not the full max). BUT the contract would still be worth more than what other teams could offer, just wouldn't be his full birds right max.

2. Would love for Al to take a 1+1 deal, but I highly doubt he does. The only reason he personally would is if gambles on himself to get that the 10-year veteran status, so that his max is 35% of the cap instead of 30%. Then next year he opts out to sign his last major contract. I just don't see him taking that gamble due to his age and instead seeing him pushing for the 5-year max deal from the Hawks. Of course Atlanta would propose this, but doesn't mean Al would go for it. 3. What team isn't going to go hard at KD? 4. The Bud not talking to Dennis thing was from Dennis' exit interview. 5. I still see Korver starting if our options are THJ or Thabo. Though I could see THJ taking over the starting role midway through the year. If we get a SF, then I see Baze taking the 2 spot (if we resign him).

First scenario - No way you get a 1st AND Burks from Utah for Teague. Also, Baze is going to get AT LEAST $12M/year deal, so he would be taking a major pay cut with that deal. Second scenario - Most mocks I've seen have Malik going behind the #21 pick. Not a fan of Jeff Green and not a fan of Marvin playing the 3 spot, but I like him at the 4 spot. Though, I don't want to spend that $ on a backup to Paul. Third scenario - That lineup would be way worse than we were this year. By the time, Schröder and Brown are fully developed, then you would have no front court with an old Ariza, Noah and Horford.

Someone will overpay for Bazemore and I don't think that should be us. I think Bud got all he could get out of Bazemore and won't be worth his next major contract.

Jeff has one more year left on his contract. We should be trying to trade him before we lose him for nothing. Give the keys to Dennis and let him develop even more by getting all the playing time during crucial situations. Not saying we are going to win a championship next year with Dennis at starting PG, but it is obvious that he is long-term answer and Jeff Demarco Teague is not.

Schröder had 6 assists and only 2 TOs in 25mins vs. Teague at 2 assists and 3 TOs in 22mins.. He clearly played the PG position better than Teague - not even counting the fact that Schröder was our top scorer and basically kept us in the game. I'm sorry, but I have seen too many Hawks be timid in close situations like that and I was glad to not see that from Schröder, even though it didn't work out. As a coach, why wouldn't you want Schröder to drive the ball in that situation with Delly on him? In fact, I am surprised Bud didn't use Schröder + Teague together more often, as there really wasn't anyone on the Cavs that could stop their penetration.