Hawks Mailbag: Coaches, Players, Front Office, & Upset Fans

Atlanta Hawks fans are understandably upset and want answers about the direction of the team.

With over 70% of the regular season in the rearview mirror, the Atlanta Hawks are in a precarious position. Atlanta has a subpar 29-30 record and holds a narrow half-game lead over the Washington Wizards for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.

To make matters worse, trustworthy algorithms project Atlanta to finish with a disappointing record and possibly outside of the playoffs. The silver lining is games are won and lost on the hardwood, and this team has proven capable of going on runs. 

Fans are understandably upset with their team and want some answers. Below are some of the best questions we received for our monthly mailbag article.

Hawks Mailbag

Q&A with Hawks fans.

Coaching

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

What grade would you give Nate McMillan for the first half of this season?

"Coach McMillan gets a D in my book. The team's record is one game better than this point last season, despite adding Dejounte Murray. The only silver lining to this season has been the development of AJ Griffin."

Do you think McMillan will be with the Hawks next season?

"No. He considered resigning earlier this season and already has one foot out the door. Plus, it's clear he has lost the locker room."

Is Kyle Kover a better coach, and will he get the chance?

"Who knows? He only had a few months in his player development role before transitioning to assistant general manager. I doubt he gets a chance, but it would be cool. It would remind me of Pat Riley bouncing around the Lakers organization before landing the head coaching gig out of nowhere."

Who is the next head coach if McMillan is let go after the season?

"I'm holding out hope for the return of a Budenholzer-era assistant coach like Quin Snyder or Kenny Atkinson."

Ime Udoka to Atlanta worth hoping for, or let the dream die?

"Udoka is a great coach, but I don't know if Atlanta wants that baggage."

How different (if at all) would this team look if three years ago they empowered John Collins to be the heart and soul guy, the vocal leader (since it's clear Trae is not a vocal leader), instead of putting him in trade rumors every week for 3+ years?

"Luckily, Collins took on the role of the heart-and-soul guy without needing approval. But it would have been much better for all parties involved if he wasn't constantly in a trade-rumor vortex."

Front Office

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

I expect massive changes on this team during the summer, from coaching to players. Would you allow Collins, Young, and Murray to provide input?

"I would allow Young to provide input on the coaching search because his buy-in on a new coach and system is vital to its overall success. Roster management, not so much."

We all knew that Travis Schlenk had a specific team he wanted to build to compete for titles. What is Landry Fields' plan to build a perennial contender?

"Fields has not laid out a grand plan for the team. However, in interviews, he has discussed a desire for players who demonstrate character and toughness. Front office executives' rhetoric does not always match their actions, so watching Fields' moves this summer will provide a clearer picture of his vision for the organization."

How do the draft picks work for the Hawks in the Murray deal?

"Atlanta traded their 2025 first-round pick (unprotected), 2027 first-round pick (unprotected), Charlotte’s 2023 first-round pick (top-16 protected), and the right and a 2026 first-round pick-swap."

With the Hunter extension kicking in next year and Murray needing to be paid the year after, will we see even more selling to avoid the tax in the offseason?

"Yes, I remain bullish on Atlanta's desire to offload a lot of contracts this summer. I was shocked (and my prediction was wrong) when Collins was not moved at the trade deadline [I think the market for Collins tanked]."

Which players are untouchable, and who should move in the offseason? Is Atlanta partly rebuilding?

"Untouchable players include Trae Young and Dejounte Murray. After that, there are levels to it. But, no, Atlanta is not rebuilding - they are just operating with heavy self-imposed financial constraints."

Players

Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Looking at the development rate of Hunter and Okongwu, I feel Okongwu has gotten to Hunter's level much quicker. Is this a good sign for Okongwu or a bad sign for Hunter? Do you think Hunter has the next level in him?

"I don't know if Okongwu is at Hunter's level yet, but he has a higher ceiling. At 25 years old and almost four seasons completed, there are no unlocked levels for Hunter. He is who he is at this point in his career (which isn't bad, just not Baby Kawhi."

Will Young request a trade if the team continues to suck?

"Young has never given any indication he wants out of Atlanta. He has repeatedly said he wants to win a championship here."

How dysfunctional is the locker room?

"I wouldn't describe Atlanta's locker room as dysfunctional. I believe the players have tuned out McMillan which isn't great. Also, I'm sure there is some static among the players (like every locker room and workplace in the world)."

Which player of the main 9-10 is the least likely to be back next year?

"In this order; John Collins, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and then Clint Capela."

Will Bogdan Bogdanovic opt into his final-year player option?

"Months ago, there were rumors that Bogdanovic would test free agency. But so much depends on his health and how he finishes the season."

How beneficial will it be for the Hawks if Bogdanovic doesn’t trigger his player option?

"If Bogdanovic left in free agency, it could save the team from more cost-cutting measures. But looking at Bogdanovic's production, the team could do much worse for a veteran shooter at $18 million."

Miscellaneous

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Can 92.9 FM The Game get some actual basketball minds to host a show?

"I really like Dylan Matthews, Jon Chuckery, Eric Slaughter, and anyone else who regularly has me on their show. Extremely high ball knowledge among those guys."

Is Mike Woodson interested in coaching Atlanta again?

"Another NBA coaching gig would be an upgrade from the NCAA. But Atlanta can do better."

Why does this team constantly underperform?

"The roster is young and lacking in key areas. Also, they have one of the worst coaching staffs in the league (respectfully)."

Is this team as talented as we thought when they made the ECF? Was that an anomaly by playing the goofy Knicks and the unbalanced 76ers?

"The Eastern Conference Finals run was an anomaly. Atlanta was red hot and galvanized by the coaching change on March 1, 2021. Also, the playoff seeding could not have worked out more favorably for Atlanta."

---

Recommended For You

Atlanta Hawks final regular season record and playoff projections. (Click Here)

Hawks rookie AJ Griffin believes we are living in end times. (Click Here)

Four important dates remain on Atlanta Hawks' schedule. (Click Here)