Atlanta Hawks: Best and worst moves from 2023 NBA offseason

The best offseason moves the Atlanta Hawks made

Even though there were some moves that didn’t exactly make the most sense for the Atlanta Hawks, there were also a few moves that could help this franchise take the next step in their progression.

Drafting Kobe Bufkin 

The first was the decision they made with their first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft – selecting Kobe Bufkin with the No. 15 overall pick.

I believe he has the chance to develop into one of the better players from this year’s draft class. If nothing else, he also represents a potential big trade asset the Hawks could use in the future. The Hawks have their starting backcourt of the foreseeable future with Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, but Bufkin certainly gives the team a bit of flexibility moving forward.

Signing Dejounte Murray to an extension 

The extension that Murray inked was very team-friendly that will only look better and better as we enter a new NBA CBA. Officially, Murray signed a four-year, $120 million extension. It’s not $120 million guaranteed, but it’s a number he can hit. That should be noted.

Murray had an up-and-down first season next to Young in Atlanta, but this was almost a move the Hawks had to make.

Trading John Collins 

And finally, trading John Collins was finally a decision that was made. You can argue that it was a decision made a year or two too late but the fact that the Hawks finally traded Collins is a good thing.

The return for Collins wasn’t great but to finally put that chapter of the franchise to bed was important heading into this offseason.