ATLANTA — The Hawks passed on making a trade near Thursday’s deadline. They will try to make another postseason run with essentially the same squad as last season. It’s a talented and deep group that hasn’t had more wins than losses since Dec. 6. General manager Travis Schlenk is counting on coach Nate McMillan and his players to figure things out again.
It’s a good gamble. There was a bigger risk in breaking up the core of this Hawks team just when it’s showing signs of finding its footing. Their floor is flaming out in the play-in tournament for the playoffs. Their ceiling might be lower than last season’s run to the Eastern Conference finals because the East is deeper. I’m looking forward to finding out.
Trae Young is the No. 1 reason to believe the Hawks will make the playoffs one way or another and beat expectations again. He was fantastic in his playoff debut. He’s been better this season. The Hawks are a tough out so long as Young is in good health.
