JayBirdHawk

Nicolas Claxton worth around $20 million in free agency? Michael Scotto: Through my conversations with executives regarding Nicolas Claxton’s next salary, I’d say he remains around that $20 million figure annually. I think $25 million would be his ceiling as of now. – via HoopsHype Dennis Smith Jr seeking multi-year free-agent deal Michael Scotto: I spoke to Dennis Smith Jr. He told me he wants to secure a multi-year deal. He said, “I believe I should be able to get that this summer, but we’ll see. You never know with the NBA, but I’m hoping this is the year I can secure that.” – via HoopsHype Extensions unlikely for Mikal Bridges and Cam Thomas? Michael Scotto: As of today, I don’t see Cam Thomas and the Nets agreeing to a contract extension, but it’s a situation I’ll certainly monitor all summer. I think Mikal Bridges will wait as well. Brian Lewis: Yeah, I’d put that at less than 50 percent. – via HoopsHype

What does this mean for JJ? JJ averaged 16 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists.

Mike Budenholzer had high contract demands in Nets talks? Brian Lewis: It was a wide search. Mike Budenholzer was part of that, but from what I’m led to believe, his contract demands were rather high. A lot of money for a lot of years. The numbers I’ve heard that I can’t share are probably beyond even my wildest expectations. Michael Scotto: Mike Budenholzer was the best-known name for his accolades. I heard Joe Tsai liked Budenholzer as a potential candidate because of his championship pedigree. Sources close to Budenholzer told me he’s open to coaching in a big market, and Brooklyn was within a big market, so it fit that and made sense from that perspective, even though the Nets are not ready to be a championship contender immediately.

who are you trading where? and how are you acquiring some of these new guys?

What happened to Atlanta? The Hawks made it a game for a half, but they ran out of players and, as ever, their defense wasn’t anywhere nearly good enough. Without Saddiq Bey, Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu, and with late-season rotation addition Vit Krejčí bizarrely not signed to the playoff roster, Atlanta was short-handed from the opening tip. Disastrous stints from bench units at the end of the first and third quarters helped move the game out of hand, including an odd cameo from little-used rookie Mouhamed Gueye. With Young still limited by a left finger injury and De’Andre Hunter having his worst game of the season, the Hawks didn’t have enough firepower to offset their awful defense. Even after a momentary burst of luck when Bulls teammates Andre Drummond and Alex Caruso collided and knocked Caruso — by far Chicago’s best defender — out of the game, Atlanta didn’t have the juice to respond. In the end, the league’s 27th-ranked defense gave up 131 points on 57 percent shooting to one of the league’s most vanilla offensive teams, a fitting capstone to an occasionally entertaining but ultimately unserious season. — John Hollinger, NBA senior writer What’s next for the Hawks? After a year of front-office paralysis where Murray trades (and others) were courted but never completed, the attention this offseason will likely turn to Young’s future. The logic is simple: Atlanta’s guards don’t fit together, despite the multiple unprotected picks the Hawks sent out to get Murray to join forces with Young, and if they had an offer they liked for Murray they would have taken it by now. Look for Lakers rumors, especially, to heat up if L.A. can’t get past its first-round series against Denver. The other thing Atlanta can’t do is tank, however, because of those same picks they gave the San Antonio Spurs in the Murray deal. The Hawks have other moves to ponder this offseason as well. Can they afford to keep paying both Capela and Okongwu, now that Okongwu is starting a four-year, $63 million extension? Is there enough money to bring back Bey, a restricted free agent they acquired at the 2023 trade deadline? And can they nail the draft, one where they are likely to pick 10th and could also land a pick at 15th if Sacramento wins its play-in game with New Orleans on Friday? Johnson, who had a breakout year that was the best story of an otherwise forgettable season, is likely due an extension ahead of his 2025 free agency, and the Hawks will also have to find more ways to get 2023 first-rounder Kobe Bufkin into the mix. Hanging over this is an inexperienced, gun-shy front office and ownership that has been unwilling to pay into the luxury tax. The Hawks enter the summer an estimated $5 million from that line, depending on where their draft pick falls and if another one is coming from the Kings, and will have some hard decisions to make. — Hollinger What stood out in Bulls’ Play-In win over Hawks: Coby White shines as Atlanta lacks firepower to keep up - The Athletic

We've talked ad nauseum about the bad whistle Hunter gets in most games when compared to other 'defenders'. If he is allowed to be as half as physical as them, we and he would be better for it.

I have no issue if someone doesn't like Trae...but at least be factual and honest.

I have been begging all year to just bite the bullet and start OO so we could see what we really have in him as a starter so we can make a more informed decision going into the offseason. Alas, Quin held firm on starting CC. Part of that was OO's inability to step up and take the spot from CC. He just didn't take the leap as I expected this season.

Or simply: It's a work in progress under Quin's new scheme and both guys and Quin are committed to get it to work. Like you said - NOT HARD. No matter what the data, the pundits, the talking heads, the squawk says....he DOES NOT GET TO SAY IT!

I disagree, we are not limited by Trae's salary. We are limited by the owner's perceived hard salary cap. Look at the other teams still currently playing - more that 1 max player, but they continually add quality talented players. We barrel scrape.

Kings and Pacers.

Trae maybe a lot of things....FRAGILE isn't one of them. Then in the next sentence you have JJ who can't stop spraining his ankle and OO who can't play a full season since he has been drafted. But sure....carry on.

Our own @Mikey suggested he asked for a trade.

when you start with a mindset that you need to cut salary, teams have you over the barrel. This is what happened at the deadline with some of these Murray deals. Wether true or not, the perception was that Hawks were looking for expiring contracts back. Very unfortunate!

Besides Jalen the obvious. Vit looks like an NBA player. Kobe and Mo...should be ready for real rotation minutes next season.

Seriously, we don't need another thread going down the 'Edey Rabbit Hole'

I don't have specifics but in terms of what we have on the roster: Hunter has good size but lacks overall athleticism, no wiggle in his hips. All the other bench guys lack athleticism, speed, power.

If Bulls and Kings win tomorrow, Hawks get pick #16. If Heat and Kings win tomorrow, there will be a coin flip to see who gets #15. Kings lose, Hawks lose, again.

Who is going to be the Salary Dump this offseason?

One guy?

I kept wondering and wondering