In order to completely understand the moves a team makes the timeline of events must be listed as well.

Pre Draft

• Hawks make a splash move with a 5 team trade for Jimmy Butler. In the process they trade away Dejounte Murray, Clint Capela, A.J. Griffin, 2 FRP swaps, their 2029 FRP swap, and 3 SRPs. In exchange they receive Butler, Thomas Bryant and pick 32 this year.

• Waive Garrison Mathews' non guaranteed contract

Draft

• Pick 1 the Hawks select Alex Sarr

• Pick 32 the Hawks select Jaylon Tyson

  • Explanation: Sarr doesn't make perfect sense with Jalen Johnson on the roster but his physical tools are too much to pass on here. Tyson ends up falling out of the first round and the Hawks jump at the opportunity to take him.

Free Agency

• Resign Saddiq Bey to a 4 year 50 million dollar deal starting at 10 million in year 1.

• Trade De'Andre Hunter to the Blazers in part of a 3 team deal resulting in Hawks getting multiple SRPs.

• Sign Kira Lewis to a 3 year deal starting at the minimum. This includes a team option in year 2 and a nonguaranteed 3rd year.

• Sign Jaylon Tyson to a 4 year contract with the final 2 years both being team options.

The team enters the offseason already in the luxury without resigning Bey. With the moves they made, the Hawks remain below the 1st apron by just about 2 million dollars. They do keep an open roster spot that may or may not be filled later down the road.

Start of Season

Starting lineup:

• Trae Young

• Caleb Martin

• Jimmy Butler

• Jalen Johnson

• Onyeka Okongwu

The bench has some youthful depth with Bufkin, Sarr, Bey and Fernando complementing Bogey. There will be moments where Thomas Bryant and Kira Lewis make more sense than Bufkin and Fernando but are mostly on the roster as vets helping the team.

During the season

• The Hawks completely change their team changing themselves into a top 10 defense even with Trae Young leading the offense. With health being a mild concern mid season they do struggle a little but still end up a top 6 seed.