Atlanta Hawks: Why the Lakers Dysfunction Could Help the Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks off-season will be focused on the draft and if they can land one of this year’s top ten free agents. They are helped by all of the dysfunction happening to the Lakers giving them a better chance to land a top free agent.

At first glance it may seem unlikely the Laker’s off-season turmoil would have any influence on the Atlanta Hawks but it certainly is helping them.  The less attractive other young teams are in free agency the better for the Hawks.

Only a handful of teams have the cap space to target this year’s top targets. The Lakers and Hawks are two of those teams.

Aside from having LeBron James there is now little reason for players to want to go to LA. The continually turmoil and media firestorm surrounding the Lakers will likely make this year’s free agent crop think twice before signing.

This is good news for Atlanta, who has a smaller brand and lacks a built in star like LeBron James. While they lack a proven star they do have a good coach and a young up-and-coming core led by Trae Young.

They are one dynamic player away from being a true contender in the East. A fact that will make Atlanta very attractive to prospective free agents looking for a place to avoid the scrutiny and pressure that comes with LeBron and the Lakers.

Atlanta is a wonderful city and is becoming increasingly attractive considering the continued dysfunction with the Knicks and Lakers.  Both the only other notable teams with cap space and a young core comparable to the Hawks.

Watching how Atlanta fares on the free agent market will be interesting considering their lack of interest in top players in seasons past. Playoff basketball will soon be coming back to Atlanta.