Balancing contracts and cap space is one of the biggest challenges for any NBA franchise. Exceeding the predetermined monetary limit results in a possible luxury tax. Many teams breach the cap space and end up paying a luxury tax. This becomes an enormous challenge for small market teams because of their lack of flexibility as compared to bigger teams like the LA Lakers.

So, what do such teams do?

Well, they try to free their cap space by engaging in trade.

One such team in dire need of clearing space is the Atlanta Hawks. What moves will they make to avoid paying the bloated luxury tax?

The Atlanta Hawks conundrum

The Hawks will pay around $8 million in luxury tax. As per some reports, the ownership is asking its management to free the load. 

So, the team will unload some of their key role players. To do so, a lot of measures are being taken. 

To begin with, Center Clint Capela agreed to a $46 million contract extension last season. His deal will cost $23 million in the upcoming season. His numbers and impact have regressed over the past two seasons, so he is a prime candidate to figure in trades. But, this isn’t the only solution. There’s more.

Apart from trade as an option, the management is now looking to alter some contracts too. They’ll probably begin with the athletic Forward John Collins’ contract. The overall contract costs around $21 million per year and definitely upsets the record books.

In fact, Collins hasn’t played at an elite level and is in trade rumors for the past two years. However, just around the mid-season trade deadline, the team could not work a deal involving him.

And lastly, there is the case of gritty Wing player DeÕAndre Hunter.

Hunter’s deal is around $22.5 million per year and his contract runs till 2026-27. Because of injuries, he isn’t the same player who was torching defenses during the 2020-21 season. Therefore, his contract may be seen as a liability. If the Hawks can package a deal around these players and land a player who can complement Trae Young and DeJounte Murray, that can bring them under the luxury tax.

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Will Trae Young get enough help?

Despite pairing Young alongside defensive dynamo Murray, the team’s fortunes didn’t change. They had an underwhelming season, winning just half of their games, and couldn’t make it past the first round against the Boston Celtics.

Hunter, Collins, and Capela had limited impact, and the team lacked depth.

Young himself shot a career-low if we discount his rookie season. The Hawks didn’t play inspiring defense and the inclusion of Murray didn’t bring much change to the situation.

The impetus on management to land a title-landing combination is growing to keep Young happy.

Can the team land some solid players who can take them to the promised land? Do share your thoughts in the comments below.

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