Atlanta Hawks: 10 Offseason Moves the Team Should Consider Making This Summer
The summer is the season of changes in the NBA.
Players can be traded, re-signed in restricted free agency, signed by a new team in unrestricted free agency (or restricted for that matter) and drafted.
The Atlanta Hawks need to make a few changes after losing to the Chicago Bulls in the 2011 NBA Playoffs. But, what should they be?
Should the Hawks trade Josh Smith away? What about Jamal Crawford? Should the master of the shake and bake be re-signed?
Read on for 10 offseason moves that the Hawks should at least consider making.
Josh Smith for Monta Ellis
1 of 10
One of the earliest rumors of this summer was a potential swap between the Atlanta Hawks and the Golden State Warriors. Going across the country to the west coast would be the uber-talented Josh Smith while Monta Ellis would be moving east.
Since the rumors have come out, it's appeared increasingly unlikely that this will happen, but it is still something that the Hawks should push for.
Smith appears to be on his way out of Atlanta and the Hawks could use a high-scoring guard like Ellis. The tattooed one would make it a lot easier to let Jamal Crawford go in free agency.
Josh Smith for JaVale McGee and a Draft Pick
2 of 10
Another potential way for Atlanta to get rid of Josh Smith would be to send him north to the nation's capitol. In return, the Wizards would need to send back JaVale McGee and either their No. 6 or No. 18 pick, although that would most likely be the latter.
McGee is a true center in every definition of the word. He's tremendously athletic and would help mitigate the loss of Smith's shot-blocking abilities while simultaneously providing long-term upside.
He would also allow Al Horford to play his natural power forward position instead of sometimes having to be the biggest man on the floor.
Josh Smith for Andre Iguodala
3 of 10
One last potential Josh Smith trade could be dealing him for a talented small forward from Philadelphia named Andre Iguodala.
Iguodala would be an immediate upgrade over Marvin Williams and the rest of the small forwards on Atlanta's roster on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
The small forward is rumored to be available and Smith would be very helpful to the 76ers cause.
Draft a Center in the Second Round
4 of 10
One of the Hawks' biggest needs is at the center position. With the No. 48 pick in the 2011 NBA draft coming up on June 23rd, the Hawks could fill this need.
However, there are not many centers that are expected to be available during this portion of the draft. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised at all if Oakland's Keith Benson is the only one left. Even he may be gone by the time Atlanta's pick rolls around.
If Benson is still there, Atlanta should draft him without hesitation.
Draft a Small Forward in the Second Round
5 of 10
Atlanta's other biggest positional priority during this offseason is at the small forward position. For once, the management should realize this and not draft a guard. But, knowing the Hawks, a guard will probably be taken.
Cynicism aside, there will be plenty of good small forwards available around pick No. 48.
Illinois' Jereme Richmond is one option, but he is very raw and will be more of a project player than anything else during the next season.
Other small forwards expected to be available in the middle of the second round are: Marquette's Jimmy Butler, Tennessee's Scotty Hopkins and Southern Mississippi's Gary Flowers.
Trade Up to Draft a Center
6 of 10
Even though centers are few and far between in the second round, the first round is a whole different story.
Atlanta could potentially trade up into the top five and draft Turkish center Enes Kanter, the consensus top player at his position.
Other centers that could be drafted in the first round are Jonas Valanciunas, Bismack Biyombo, Jeremy Tyler and Nikola Vucevic.
USC's Vucevic is my favorite of the bunch for the Hawks.
Trade Up to Draft a Small Forward
7 of 10
Just as it's possible to trade up to draft a center, it is also an option to trade up in the draft and take a small forward.
Minnesota is currently saddled with the No. 2 pick in the draft and the expected pick is Arizona's Derrick Williams. But, the Timberwolves have no use for the forward so they're attempting to trade the pick away.
Atlanta could make Minnesota an offer for this pick and take the Wildcat that could complete their roster.
Let Jamal Crawford Go
8 of 10
One of the biggest decisions that the Atlanta Hawks will have to make this summer is whether or not to keep Jamal Crawford on their roster.
Personally, I don't think that Atlanta should re-sign Crawford.
While he's incredibly talented, especially on the offensive end, his isolation style of offense really requires his squad to completely change the way it plays. When he's on the floor, there is little to no continuity, a fact which can be a little bit frustrating.
Also, the Hawks are in need of a bit of a facelift and getting rid of Crawford could open up the cap space to bring in a new and exciting player that Atlanta fans can rally around.
Sign Nene Hilario
9 of 10
Another way for the Hawks to shore up their problems at center would be to tackle it through free agency.
One unrestricted free agent this summer will be the Denver Nuggets' longtime big man Nene Hilario. Nene said he felt underappreciated by the Nuggets, which could keep him from signing a contract extension with the team he's spent all nine seasons of his career with.
Nene will be just 29 years old next season and is one of the more underrated players in the league. After all, he averaged 14.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game this past year with nary a mention in the All-Star voting.
The 6'11" Brazilian would be a great addition to Atlanta's team.
Sign Tyson Chandler
10 of 10
Primarily a defensive big man, Tyson Chandler came into the national spotlight during the NBA Finals, where he was a large part of the Dallas Mavericks' championship-winning effort.
Chandler was in his first season with Dallas but averaged 10.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. He's still just 28 years old and would be another great addition to the Hawks, one that would allow Al Horford to switch back to the power forward position.
Chandler is going to cost a lot of money now that he has a championship ring, but he would prove to be worth it.
