The 60-win Atlanta Hawks of the 2014-15 season are going to look much different in the coming season. After trading for Tim Hardaway Jr over drafting young talent, the team has followed that up with another trade and a key departure in free agency. With more changes possibly headed towards Atlanta, how will the team go about replacing DeMarre Carroll?
According to Sam Amick of USA Today, Carroll signed a four-year, $60 million contract with the Toronto Raptors, leaving Atlanta following one of the best seasons of his career. The leaves the Hawks incredibly empty handed moving forward. The departure of Carroll follows the report of Chris Broussard that Paul Millsap was offered a max deal of four years and $80 million from the Orlando Magic. The Hawks offered the same thing to the power forward as they aim to retain one of their two top stars.
According to Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders, the Hawks are now targeting Tobias Harris out of the Orlando Magic who is a restricted free agent this summer. Harris is considered a potential future star in the league which is why Atlanta is obviously interested in acquiring him, but the price could get expensive. According to the Orlando Sentinel, Harris could try to command a max contract, something the Magic can afford while the Hawks simply cannot following the contract to Millsap. Trades would have to take place in order to make it work.
The Hawks already replace Pero Antic who departed the team after two years to return to Europe. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, the Hawks have acquired center Tiago Splitter from the San Antonio Spurs who was cleared in order to make room for LaMarcus Aldridge. That improves the Hawks up front, but his $8.5 million salary complicates things in Atlanta.
There are certainly other options for the Hawks to help replace Carroll who was one of the most consistent starters all season long. Corey Brewer could be a solid fit for the team. He excelled for the Rockets are getting more playing time in the postseason. According to the Houston Chronicle, the Rockets are currently trying to negotiate a contract with the forward, but Atlanta could come through with a contract. David West and Brandon Bass are also available. While the fans certainly wanted Carroll and Millsap back in the folds, that is no longer an option and any of these players could be a solid fit.