The Atlanta Hawks were one of the surprise teams of the NBA season this year. They did not have expectations coming in but were able to make a run in the postseason. Now, Atlanta could do a bit of retooling to the roster to prepare for the upcoming years.
For the most part, the team is going to look the same. Atlanta has their core and plays with Trae Young and John Collins both signing long-term this offseason. This means that Atlanta is in a good position moving forward and should continue to contend in the Eastern Conference.
This is to be expected after a run to the Eastern Conference Finals in a year where nobody expect them to compete. This trade is not about the landing another star but instead optimizing the team-building outlook for the future.
When discussing draft picks or young players, the Oklahoma City Thunder seem to always be in the mix. They signed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to a contract extension, which means they have their franchise player in place to build around.
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For the Thunder, it’s about putting prospects around Gilgeous-Alexander that can develop alongside him. With Oklahoma City not having guarantees when it comes to winning the NBA Draft Lottery, capitalizing on opportunities that arise makes a lot of sense.
This is not a blockbuster deal but it is one that moves the needle for both teams. Let’s take a look at what a potential trade between the heart and thunder could look like this offseason.