2011-2012 Finish: 28-38

Season Highlight

The Atlanta Hawks have not made the playoffs in the NLL since the 03/04 season. They have been a small-market team for most of the past decade, a forgotten team that has seen a revolving door of apathetic GMs. With the arrival of new GM Houndy, a new era has dawned in Hotlanta. The Hawks may not be much better on the court, but the guidance of a GM who actually cares goes a long way. Yes, he may be immature and “hound” some of us to death, but Houndy is the first GM to show some serious promise in Atlanta for a long, long time.

Season Lowlight

The Atlanta Hawks live and die by their star Derrick Rose, making his April injury so much more devastating to the squad. Rose tore the ACL in his left knee and not only missed most of the season (he appeared in 27 games), he will likely miss most, if not all, of the 2012-2013 season. Yes, the Hawks had a few valiant replacements off the bench, but Rose’s injury demoralized the squad and pretty brought an early end to the Hawks’ season.

Best Trade

The Philadelphia 76ers send Darius Morris to the Atlanta Hawks. The Atlanta Hawks send a 2nd-Rounder (Atl) to the Philadelphia 76ers.

We will get to Darius Morris in a minute and even if the season was a fluke, he did bring the excitement back to Atlanta when the team needed it most. The team got him for a song from a deep Sixers squad and Morris responded by playing some great ball. The trade will be even better if he can stick with the squad next season.

Worst Trade

The Atlanta Hawks send Drew Gooden to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Minnesota Timberwolves send a 2nd-Rounder (Min) to the Atlanta Hawks. The Atlanta Hawks receive 5 GM points. The Minnesota Timberwolves trade -5 GM points.

This may have seemed like a good deal at first, since Gooden has been nothing but a salary anchor these last few seasons. But upon his move to Minnesota, Gooden had his best season in years, playing great ball at a position the Hawks soon found out they needed the most.

Other Notable Trades

The Atlanta Hawks send Kyle Lowry and Bismack Biyombo to the San Antonio Spurs. The San Antonio Spurs send Mickael Pietrus, Andrew Bogut and Trevor Booker to the Atlanta Hawks. The Atlanta Hawks send a 1st-Rounder (Atl) to the San Antonio Spurs. The San Antonio Spurs send a 2nd-Rounder (Phi) to the Atlanta Hawks

An early blockbuster that didn’t turn out too great for either team. San Antonio gets the win here because of the first rounder and ditching Bogut’s salary. Also, Biyombo turned out to be pretty decent. This could also be considered the “worst” trade, especially since Atlanta seriously compromised its future (the pick and Biyombo) for a center who is perennially injured.

The Atlanta Hawks send Quentin Richardson, Mickael Pietrus and Trevor Booker to the Orlando Magic. The Orlando Magic send Richard Hamilton, Chukwudiebere Maduabum and Tanguy Ngombo to the Atlanta Hawks. The Atlanta Hawks send a 2nd-Rounder (Phi) to the Orlando Magic. The Atlanta Hawks receive 14 GM points. The Orlando Magic trade -14 GM points.

Another humdinger marred by injury. Rip appeared in only 29 games for the Hawks. Booker has a lot of potential but this deal really doesn’t move mountains. Who knew Pietrus would be a better asset than Rip this season?

The Atlanta Hawks send Luke Ridnour to the Philadelphia 76ers. The Philadelphia 76ers send Jose Barea to the Atlanta Hawks. The Philadelphia 76ers send a 2nd-Rounder (SA) to the Atlanta Hawks.

More or less an equal deal. Barea started the season injured, Ridnour ended the season that way. The second rounder may push the deal in Atlanta’s favor. Ridnour would have been good to have when D-Rose hit the bench.

Best FA Signing

The Atlanta Hawks didn’t sign any great free agents of note this past season.

Worst FA Signing

Chuck Hayes- Chuckie made bank in Atlanta, signing a four-year deal that started at $5.6 million. Hayes did appear in 62 games but chipped in 3ppg and 2.9rpg. They are now stuck with him for three years. To make matters worse, Houndy amnestied Francisco Garcia right before the signing to make room.

Star

Dorrell Wright- SF – Wright had a break-out season in Atlanta, rising up amidst all the injury. The small forward hit 22.8ppg on 44% shooting. On a team with Rose, Bogut and Rip Hamilton, would you expect Wright to be the star here? The Hawks now have a glut at SF with the emergence of Gordon Hayward. It will be interesting to see if Wright can continue the magic next season.

Surprise

Darius Morris- PG – Morris was languishing on the bench in Philly when he got sent to Atlanta. Then D-Rose went down and the rookie had to step it up. That he did. He posted 13 ppg in 37 games (starting in 25) with 3.8 apg and 1.5 spg. Atlanta campaigned hard for Morris to win ROY but the league wasn’t convinced. Some experts think this season was a fluke for Morris but we can only wait until next season to see if he can retain the magic.

Goat

Andrew Bogut - C – Another season, another injury for Andrew Bogut. The Hawks gambled the future on the big man in their trade with the Spurs. The number of games Bogut appeared in during the 2011/12 season? Zero.

Draft Report Card

That 1st rounder Atlanta traded eventually became Damien Lillard, but since that pick is elsewhere it no longer matters here. Houndy wasn’t much of a player in the draft, grabbing a pair of prospects in the second round. With pick 35, he selected Marquette senior Jae Crowder. Another small forward, Crowder will likely get zero PT in Atlanta. I like his pick at 48 better with Darius Johnson-Odom. Yeah, he may be a little undersized, but DJO, also a Marquette product, is tough, gritty player that can score. And with the SG situation the way it is in Atlanta, he may even see some good minutes if he makes the team.

Looking to the Future

Atlanta is not really in the best shape going into next season, a strange mix of veterans and rookies that don’t really gel well together. On the paper, the starting lineup is not bad: Bogut, Amir Johnson, Dorell Wright, Rip and D-Rose but other factors will keep Atlanta unsuccessful. D-Rose is out and look forward to a slew of missed games from Bogut and Rip. Once D-Rose re-signs, the Hawks won’t have any salary cap to play with. Meanwhile, beyond Hayward and Barea, the bench is pretty much garbage

So what should Atlanta do? I think they blow it up and rebuild, holding onto that first rounder for dear life. That means making some tough choices, moving Bogut, Rip, Barea, Hayes and maybe even Wright, building around Rose and Hayward. Move those vets for picks and young players. Right now, the Hawks are not really in a great place. If everyone can stay healthy, they can likely compete but with Rose already laid up, it may be a good idea for Houndy to cut his losses early.

Upcoming Free Agents

Derrick Rose- Rose is restricted but he is the face of Atlanta. He will re-sign a lucrative deal and eat up the rest of the Hawks’ cap. Other than Rose, the Hawks should part ways with Blake Ahearn, Luke Harangody and Cartier Martin. And it looks like an important end is coming: Nazr Mohammed is the only NLL player left who has played for the same team since the inception of the NLL, but after 10 seasons in a Hawks jersey the big man has indicated he will likely sign with a team that can bring him a ring.