Atlanta Hawks: Brighter future for Hawks in ESPN.com rankings
In a few short weeks the Hawks transitioned from a good-but-not-great team with no financial flexibility to a franchise that can clear gops of cap space and has a long-term plan.
No surprise, then, that the Hawks moved up in Chad Ford and John Hollinger’s latest future power rankings at ESPN.com (Insider). The rankings are Ford and Hollinger’s attempt to project the on-court success for the 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons.
The Hawks improved from No. 19 to No. 15 largely on the strength of their dramatically improved salary-cap situation. That development moved Atlanta’s “money” ranking (worth as much as 200 points) from No. 26th to No.1 Ford and Hollinger noted this “25-place jump was the largest of any team in any category.”
That was offset by Atlanta’s league-high drop in the “players” ranking (600 points), down to 23rd from 12th. Ford and Hollinger dock the Hawks not just for the talent disparity in the Joe Johnson deal but also because Josh Smith is in the last year of his contract. The authors opine that “[Al] Horford is the only key player who is both signed [long term] and guaranteed to make an impact.”
The Hawks rank No. 13 in the “management” category (200 points), up from No. 17 in the previous rankings. Ford and Hollinger give Danny Ferry high marks for both his tenure as Cleveland GM and his initial moves with the Hawks.
Atlanta ranks No. 14 in the “market” category (100 points), up one spot. The considerations: “Appeal to future acquisitions based on team quality, franchise reputation, city’s desirability as a destination, market size, taxes, business and entertainment opportunities, arena quality, fans.”
Finally, Ford and Hollinger place the Hawks No. 13 in the “draft” rankings (100 points), up from No. 19. That’s based on future draft picks and draft positioning.
The teams ranked ahead of the Hawks in the overall rankings, in order: Heat, Thunder, Lakers, Jazz, Pacers, Mavericks, Nuggets, Bulls, Spurs, Celtics, Hornets, Cavaliers, Rockets, Nets.
(Note to blog people: Please respect the paywall and refrain from reproducing substantial portions of the ESPN.com link.)
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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464 comments Add your comment
Melvin
August 22nd, 2012
9:46 am
Ibaka probably has the best contract in the league. It increase in value with each report.
“Multiple sources have confirmed Serge Ibaka’s four-year extension with the Thunder could total $51.5 million with incentives.
Ibaka’s base salary is $49 million for the deal that begins in the 2013-14 season, with an additional $2.5 million in potential bonuses for achievements believed to include NBA Defensive Player of the Year and remaining a member of the league’s All-Defensive first team.”
Sautee
August 22nd, 2012
10:02 am
T-s,
That was your most cogent post in quite awhile at 6:34 am. I disagree with parts of it, but it was well written.
Here’s what I disagree with:
“Funny thing, Its was published that the hawks tried 4 times this past summer to trade Al and got no takers, yet the few but loud Horford cultist on this site act as if he is the second coming of Christ.”
This is a flat out lie. What was published was conjecture and speculation, which is what every off season brings. There were ZERO reports of Horford being offered in trade, and the other team turning it down. ZERO.
Go ahead and show us the “published” reports that say this. You cannot, because they don’t exist. All that DOES exist is trade rumors and speculation.
Why lie about this?
SteveW
August 22nd, 2012
11:00 am
Ag – Al Jefferson is who I get. He probably is the 3rd best C in the League right now. And he’s still young.
If Derrick Favors were available, I’d get him as well.
SteveW
August 22nd, 2012
11:02 am
And if we could obtain Greg Monroe, I probably take him over Jefferson, Favors, Noah, or anybody else not named Dwight or Bynum
SteveW
August 22nd, 2012
11:03 am
I like T Chandler as a Center as well.
SteveW
August 22nd, 2012
11:04 am
And if Javale McGee gets his nothin on straight, watch out – that guy could dominate
SteveW
August 22nd, 2012
11:06 am
“Noggin” was arbitrarily changed to nothin by my iPhone
SteveW
August 22nd, 2012
11:08 am
Vava – a few posts ago you mentioned Morrow as a below average NBA player. I’d say he’s at least average.
SteveW
August 22nd, 2012
11:52 am
And I’m still not sure we won’t see a D Harris for a SF trade when Sept 12th rolls around and he can be traded.
But there are a ton of good SF’s still out there.
SteveW
August 22nd, 2012
11:53 am
If the need for another PG does arise, I’m for giving Johnny Flynn a shot.
SteveW
August 22nd, 2012
11:56 am
Morrow was averaging almost 15 ppg in just over 30 mpg when the Nets decided to go with Marshon Brooks – develop the rook on a bad team kind of thing.
steven a smith
August 22nd, 2012
12:38 pm
I hope that the Hawks will give Mehmet Okur a look. He would be high reward, low risk at this point. Great vet. minmum kind of guy.
steven a smith
August 22nd, 2012
12:42 pm
C-Okur
PF-Josh
SF-Petrus
SG-Korver
PG-Teague/Harris
Great shooting from each position except Josh. Left Al Horford out of starting rotation due to possible imminent trade for draft picks!
MsDee
August 22nd, 2012
1:18 pm
New Blog up!!