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The Atlanta Hawks had the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference standings before the season was suspended due to COVID-19. Despite having one of the best point guards in the league in Trae Young and a rising star in John Collins, the Hawks were only able to rack up 20 wins before the season was put to a halt.
Collins’ PED suspension just six games into the season was too much for the Hawks to overcome. He missed 25 consecutive games.
Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk made the big trade to get Clint Capela from the Houston Rockets during the season. While Capela wasn’t able to make his Atlanta debut this season because of injury, he figures to flourish with Young in the pick-and-roll game and on lob passes whenever the 2020-21 season starts.
The Hawks' starting lineup for next season will most likely consist of Young, Kevin Huerter, De’Andre Hunter, Collins and Capela. Head coach Lloyd Pierce will also have Cam Reddish, Dewayne Dedmon, Bruno Fernando and Brandon Goodwin to work with off the bench.
However, since the Hawks are going to lose Vince Carter to retirement and Jeff Teague is an unrestricted free agent, Atlanta is going to need some type of veteran presence. With that being said, Schlenk should try and trade for Sacramento Kings point guard Cory Joseph whenever the 2020 offseason begins.
While Young is on the bench getting a breather, Joseph can run the Hawks’ offense while getting his bucket when needed. The veteran has career averages of 6.9 points and 2.9 assists. This season with the Kings in 64 contests, Joseph averaged 6.3 points and 3.4 assists while shooting 42.0 percent from the field, 35.1 percent from beyond the arc and 82.8 percent from the free-throw line.
Along with being a sound floor general, Joseph is a physical defender at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds. He's the perfect defensive guard for Pierce to bring into the game and slow the opposing team's guard down. The 28-year-old also has plenty of playoff experience and was part of the 2014 San Antonio Spurs team that won the title over the Miami Heat.
Joseph would be a great mentor to Young, who was averaging 29.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 9.3 assists before the season got suspended.
