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Fixing the Atlanta Hawks This Offseason In 5 Easy Steps

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Fixing the Atlanta Hawks This Offseason In 5 Easy Steps

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The Atlanta Hawks had a very nice run this year, but they have a lot of questions to answer this offseason if they are going to replicate that success. Two starters are free agents, their bench was exposed in the playoffs and the lack of a big man who actually plays big hurt them. The Hawks have plenty of money to play with in free agency. With a wealth of options available, it's crucial they spend that money wisely.

5. Do Not Overpay DeMarre Carroll

DeMarre Carroll Atlanta Hawks Free Agent
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5. Do Not Overpay DeMarre Carroll

DeMarre Carroll Atlanta Hawks Free Agent
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Don't get me wrong, DeMarre Carroll was absolutely fantastic this season. If the money is right you bring him back. The problem is, the money is almost certainly not going to be right. This is a guy who made just over $ 2 million a season ago. He's going to get a huge pay raise, and rightfully so. It just shouldn't be in Atlanta if it rises to much more than $ 10 million per year.

4. Do Everything Possible To Bring Gustavo Ayon Over

Gustavo Ayon Atlanta Hawks
John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

4. Do Everything Possible To Bring Gustavo Ayon Over

Gustavo Ayon Atlanta Hawks
John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Gustavo Ayon has already shown once he can be a decent rotation guy for this franchise. At a time where the Hawks need more big men, it seems like a natural move to bring him back if he's willing. That's the obstacle as he seems happy playing in Europe. The Hawks still hold his NBA rights though, and he could be a cheap option for the 2015-16 roster.

3. Let Pero Antic Leave

Pero Antic Atlanta Hawks
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3. Let Pero Antic Leave

Pero Antic Atlanta Hawks
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I'm as big a Pero Antic fan as anyone, but the bottom line is he just wasn't effective last season. He's a stretch big man whi brings you next to nothing down low on either end. When he shoots 30 percent from three, he can't be a rotation guy. It was a little better in the playoffs, but he is not a first big off the bench player. If he's willing to accept a lesser role that's fine. If he doesn't, then he has no place with the Hawks.

2. Explore Trade For Mike Scott

Mike Scott Atlanta Hawks
Pat Lovell-USA Today Sports

2. Explore Trade For Mike Scott

Mike Scott Atlanta Hawks
Pat Lovell-USA Today Sports

I've been on the Mike Scott bandwagon for quite a while now, but his time as a Hawk has run out. Falling behind Mike Muscala in the rotation pretty much clinched that. The Hawks are trying to save a little money as they gear up for a big free agent period. Scott is going to find himself on the block really quickly. Don't expect much more than a second-round pick or two for him, though. This is just about saving a couple million bucks for July.

1. Get Paul Millsap Back

Paul Millsap Atlanta Hawks
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

1. Get Paul Millsap Back

Paul Millsap Atlanta Hawks
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

This one is pretty straight forward. Bring back the best player from the conference finals team. Millsap is going to make more than the $ 10 million or so he made this season, but he's well worth it. He's a two-way player who can create for himself when asked to. This is an easy call. The offseason starts with making sure this guy is locked up for another few years.

Johnathan Neumann is the Atlanta Hawks Beat Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JJ_Neumann, or add him to your network on Google

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