Hawks 2024 Presser

[WigNosy]

The cat wanders into the press room, and blinks in surprise that there are actually people here. He looks at one of his staffers, shrugs, and sits down behind the microphone.

"So, I suppose you are here to talk about the team again. There's really not a lot to talk about. We had another disappointing season last year when we lost in the playoffs. We're turning into the Atlanta BRAVES - win the Division and flame out in the playoffs. No titles in forever. It's getting tiresome."

"Obviously, after last season, it was clear that we didn't have enough firepower. We were kind of annoyed when Andrew Baldwin's agent informed us he had a max deal from the Kings. We had hoped he would take our much smaller offer so we could surround him with additional talent. Guess he had other plans."

"After what I would consider an expected - if expensive - RFA period, we entered Unrestricted Free Agency looking for manna from heaven in the form of vet-min-mas and the MLE. We were excited to land John Wall with the MLE. He fills a long-standing need on our team for a quality point guard behind Harland Ellinger."

"We managed to pull in old Hawks stalwart Greg Monroe and pulled back former Hawks Merle Weisman - both are guys we hope can give us considerable depth in the frontcourt behind the Badwin/Donald combo.

"Of course, Training Camp happened. None of our insured guys got hit - thankfully - and after taking a quickness hit last season, Randle escaped with just a hit in jumping ability. We had loaded up on young players in the back end of the draft hoping some of them would take leaps. That was rewarded with Will Baron and Ernest Riviera and Victor Eldred, though Marcos Reams took a step back. Greg Monroe and John Wall took hits expected for their age. Merle Weisman took a mild hit too, which is annoying given he should be in his prime, but all in all, given the devastation TC wreaked this season on other squads, I guess I can't complain TOO much."

"Our five starters are penciled in - Donald, Baldwin, Tatum, Bergstraom, and Ellinger. We'll probably play around a little with Randle being a supersub since he's shown the ability to play PF in the past, but I expect him to see time mostly in the backcourt this season since we have enough big depth. Wall will also be in the rotation and I'm still trying to work out who will be in the back end of the rotation in garbage time."

"I'm still in the mood to make some moves this season with the roster. We've been 'good' but not 'great' for too long. Everyone except Baldwin (RFA) could be had if the deal is right. We've been close to a couple of deals to make quantum leaps, but nothing like what the 76ers just did by dealing away Kevin Love. We're in the tax by quite a bit this season, and if these guys don't play up to that... there will be changes."

[Wombataholic]

With the Magic a year away from being a top tier team and the Bobcats, Heat and Wizards rebuilding, is it safe to say that the Hawks will run away with the division?

[NickMalone77]

Nick Melon; The Advocate: So with a tax bill bigger than 4 other teams entire team salaries, how do you look to address this tax issue so you don't turn into delinquents like some other teams that have been thrown into SLOE Jail the last few years?

[WigNosy]

With the Magic a year away from being a top tier team and the Bobcats, Heat and Wizards rebuilding, is it safe to say that the Hawks will run away with the division?

I doubt it. The Magic showed two years ago that they can't be underestimated, the Wizards are always able to get a surprising amount out of their players, and the Heat are probably one big trade away from contention. Even the Bobcats, in the right circumstances, could be dangerous despite being handicapped by luxury tax sanctions. I never expect the division to come easy.

[WigNosy]

Nick Melon; The Advocate: So with a tax bill bigger than 4 other teams entire team salaries, how do you look to address this tax issue so you don't turn into delinquents like some other teams that have been thrown into SLOE Jail the last few years?

I have always felt it's important to have several contingency plans when taking on an enormous amount of debt risk. I think this team should be able to make enough hay to pay the tax man this season even with our present salary situation. That said, I AM notoriously cheap and if someone steps up to the plate with a deal for one of our top players that makes financial sense to me, I'd definitely have to consider it. It's not like I'd be breaking up a championship core right now... (grumbles) ... a problem I wish I had.

[Xist2Inspire]

Random Reporter: Have any of your younger talents impressed you enough in the preseason to possibly become a key part of your bench rotation?

[garbageman]

You traded for a lot of low draft picks that ended up improving in training camp. The Hawks historically are able to find players that are a few points of athletic training away from getting to the next level. What is your secret in terms of what you look for in identifying these types of players?

[WigNosy]

Random Reporter: Have any of your younger talents impressed you enough in the preseason to possibly become a key part of your bench rotation?

I really liked what Ernest Rivera showed and think he may have carved out a nice spot.