The Atlanta Hawks decided during the 2021 offseason that they would run things back for the 2021-22 NBA season. It was hard for anyone to blame them as they had just made a surprising run to the Eastern Conference Finals. The franchise was feeling good about the direction they were heading and wanted to make another run at it.
That ended up being the wrong decision as the Hawks were unable to replicate that level of success. They finished ninth in the Eastern Conference and had to defeat the Charlotte Hornets and Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Play-In Tournament just to make the playoff field.
Their stay was a short one this year, as the No. 1 seeded Miami Heat defeated them with ease picking up a gentleman’s sweep and knocking Atlanta out in five games. The flaws on the roster were on full display, as their offense sputtered with Trae Young being held in check, finishing the series with more turnovers, 30, than baskets made, 24.
General manager Travis Schlenk has spoken about the moves made last offseason and doesn’t want to replicate that. The Atlanta Hawks are going to look to make moves this offseason to get them back into contention in the Eastern Conference.
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That is easier said than done for Atlanta, especially when it comes to free agency. The team doesn’t have cap space to spend, so they will have to get creative when upgrading the roster. Over at Bleacher Report, they believe Victor Oladipo is one ambitious target that Atlanta should have in free agency.
Because of the injury history that Oladipo has, his price tag should be within an attainable range for the Hawks. He has looked good with the Miami Heat this season, showing some of the flashes that made him an All-Star in 2017 and 2018.
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His skillset would be a great fit in Atlanta. Their defense has been very poor in recent years, which is something Victor Oladipo can turn around instantly. Look at some recaps from their first-round series against each other and what Oladipo did to James Harden in the second-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Offensively, Oladipo has enough playmaking ability to help take pressure off of Young. Young is as ball-dominant as they come, but moving him off the ball a little more could lead to better continuity and efficiency for the Atlanta Hawks. They are almost too reliant on Young to create for himself and his teammates, which led to long stretches of ineptitude against the Miami Heat.
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Schlenk will likely do a majority of his work on the trade market, but pursuing Victor Oladipo in free agency would be a savvy move. He brings a lot to the table that Atlanta needs and would be a great addition to their rotation.
