ESPN Future Ratings: Atlanta Hawks

[HawkItus]

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Atlanta Hawks

The bar graphs reflect the average points given by the voters for each category.

Going into free agency this past summer, the Hawks were one of several teams with large cap flexibility that had high hopes for giving the roster a drastic makeover. When they realized they wouldn't be able to do that, they retooled their roster using careful cap management, re-signing Kyle Korver to a descending scale contract, picking up veterans on short-term deals like Paul Millsap, Elton Brand and DeMarre Carroll and claiming FIBA Americas Tournament MVP Gustavo Ayón off waivers.

As a result, they'll have cap flexibility for the next two summers, which will allow them to be nimble enough to take advantage of any opportunities that might arise.

In the big picture, the Hawks' current collection of talent is still middling. (Other than Al Horford, there are no surefire stars on the roster, although rookies Dennis Schröder and Lucas Nogueira each have a chance to be special.)

Their market will always have a reputation of a lukewarm fan base, but they've put themselves in the position to be competitive within the Eastern Conference. The Hawks still have a bright future by being fiscally responsible and showing shrewd player evaluation.

-- Amin Elhassan

(Previous rank: 18)

[capstone21]

lukewarm fan base is being kind