3 Key Atlanta Hawks Free Agency Targets for the 2025 Offseason
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The Atlanta Hawks finished the 2024-25 season with a 40-42 record. Trae Young and Co. made it into the NBA Play-In Tournament, where the Hawks lost back-to-back games against the Orlando Magic and the Miami Heat. Those losses took them from the eighth seed to outside of the playoffs looking in. Atlanta began their offseason far sooner than they wanted to and now need to figure out how they are going to pivot.
Although Young was mentioned in trade speculations all year long, The All-Star guard is anticipated to stay with the Hawks. Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu have shown they work effectively with Young and could potentially be his teammates for many seasons ahead. Additionally, Zaccharie Risacher had an outstanding first year, contributing another promising young talent to the Atlanta team’s lineup.
The Hawks have four players set for unrestricted free agency, namely Clint Capela and Caris LeVert among others. Compared to other teams, they possess limited salary cap room, yet their general manager Onsi Saleh is under pressure as the team’s new general manager . He will need to be bold while making moves in order for the roster to keep up with the rest of the conference.
The Hawks have these three unrestricted free agents they could pursue this summer to further develop their roster alongside Young and their emerging talents.
Seth Curry, the guard for the Charlotte Hornets,
Young has two capable running mates in Jalen Johnson and Terance Mann. However, the team’s offense is devoid of three-point shooting outside of their All-Star. In their play-in games against the Magic and Heat, the point guard was hounded. When he gave the ball up, the offense faltered. While Seth Curry Isn't the player who would address that issue; his worth lies in his ability to shoot from beyond the arc.
Young creates more opportunities for his teammates' three-point shots than nearly any other player in the NBA, similar to Curry. 45.6% shooting from three makes him an ideal role player to have come off the bench. While the team expects growth from Risacher and Johnson as ball handlers and secondary playmakers, Curry would help space the floor, opening up windows for his teammates.
The 34-year-old guard isn’t the same player he was when he was with the Dallas Mavericks and Philadelphia 76ers. However, he is a veteran presence who provides both on the court and in the locker room. That, combined with the fact that Curry isn’t projected to receive a very big payday this summer, makes him a perfect fit.
Memphis Grizzlies' center Marvin Bagley III
Marvin Bagley III His career has turned out very differently from what everyone anticipated when he was selected. The ex-Duke Blue Devil player moved between teams frequently and had trouble finding his place. Nevertheless, he ended the season strongly, particularly during their first-round playoff matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Whenever he got minutes under acting head coach Tuomas Iisalo, Bagley III showed out , securing offensive rebounds and confidently finishing scores around the rim.
When it comes to their center position, the Hawks experience a significant decline. Currently, Onyeka Okongwu’s replacement is Dominick Barlow, who had difficulties during his 35 appearances this season. Adding Marvin Bagley III would provide Atlanta with a skilled offensive option coming off the bench along with Terance Mann. In conjunction with Trae Young as part of the pick-and-roll strategy, he brings an exterior scoring dimension beyond what Okongwu offers.
Bagley III remains available as an unrestricted free agent with a fascinating potential market. Teams seeking depth at the center position might show interest, such as the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets. He represents a player who has the capability to elevate a squad’s performance significantly without consuming too much of their salary cap room.
The Los Angeles Clippers' forward, Ben Simmons.
Following being selected as the top overall pick in the 2016 draft, Ben Simmons ’ career is a story that might finally be coming full circle. Simmons made three All-Star appearances and two All-Defensive Team selections before falling to Young and the Hawks in the 2021 Eastern conference semifinals. After that, Simmons began a long road back from mental blocks and back injuries that sent him to Brooklyn and eventually the Clippers via the buyout market.
With the Clippers, Simmons struggled to settle into his team offensively, but helped give the team a defensive presence behind Ivica Zubac. At this point in his career, it is unrealistic to expect any significant contributions from Simmons, yet he can contribute effectively in playmaking and defense with a reduced responsibility. .
Simmons’ market in free agency is full of contenders that would be looking to sign him on a smaller deal. However, the Hawks can offer him what would essentially be their backup point guard role, depending on what happens in the 2025 NBA Draft. Simmons might not be what he once was, but teams feel that he has done enough to earn himself another chance in a more significant role.
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