The Numbers on the Board crew looks back at Atlanta Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh’s moves in the offseason, praising him for acquiring a very valuable unprotected 2026 first-round pick from the New Orleans Pelicans.<\/p>\n
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Video Transcript<\/p>\n
The off-season was last year.<\/p>\n
The off-season was last year.<\/p>\n
We’re almost a year later.<\/p>\n
We’re almost a year later.<\/p>\n
We had our opinions about these off-seasons before the season started, and I’m curious to see would we when we re-grade them, did we still love some off-seasons?<\/p>\n
We had our opinions about these off-seasons before the season started, and I’m curious to see would we when we re-grade them, did we still love some off-seasons?<\/p>\n
Did we hate some off-seasons?<\/p>\n
Did we hate some off-seasons?<\/p>\n
So we’ll start off with the Atlanta Hawks.<\/p>\n
So we’ll start off with the Atlanta Hawks.<\/p>\n
Their off-season, ended up losing Clint Capela, Caris LeVert, Terance Mann, Larry Nance.<\/p>\n
Their off-season, ended up losing Clint Capela, Caris LeVert, Terance Mann, Larry Nance.<\/p>\n
Those are the guys that matter, I guess.<\/p>\n
Those are the guys that matter, I guess.<\/p>\n
They signed Dejounte Walker to a four-year deal.<\/p>\n
They signed Dejounte Walker to a four-year deal.<\/p>\n
They got Lou Canard in a, a one-year deal.<\/p>\n
They got Lou Canard in a, a one-year deal.<\/p>\n
Chris Porzingis was acquired via trade, and they extended Dyson Daniels.<\/p>\n
Chris Porzingis was acquired via trade, and they extended Dyson Daniels.<\/p>\n
They had such a weird season.<\/p>\n
They had such a weird season.<\/p>\n
I wa- Grading their off-season, I would put it probably about a B+ and I think a lot of that is coming from the, the Nakil signing, which I think was amazing.<\/p>\n
I wa- Grading their off-season, I would put it probably about a B+ and I think a lot of that is coming from the, the Nakil signing, which I think was amazing.<\/p>\n
I’m gonna And the reason I grade it so low, because the Atlanta Hawks are doing really well.<\/p>\n
I’m gonna And the reason I grade it so low, because the Atlanta Hawks are doing really well.<\/p>\n
I don’t think their goal for what they were doing this off-season really planned out well.<\/p>\n
I don’t think their goal for what they were doing this off-season really planned out well.<\/p>\n
But I think it turned around well when J- like, they traded Trae Young, traded Chris Stops, brought in, you know, they just brought in guys and I think the direction turned out a lot different.<\/p>\n
But I think it turned around well when J- like, they traded Trae Young, traded Chris Stops, brought in, you know, they just brought in guys and I think the direction turned out a lot different.<\/p>\n
But they are having a successful season.<\/p>\n
But they are having a successful season.<\/p>\n
I w- I would give it an A based on how well Nakil has played.<\/p>\n
I w- I would give it an A based on how well Nakil has played.<\/p>\n
I think no one expected him to come in here and have an MIP-type season.<\/p>\n
I think no one expected him to come in here and have an MIP-type season.<\/p>\n
And, yeah, you traded for, you flipped Chris Stops for Kaminga.<\/p>\n
And, yeah, you traded for, you flipped Chris Stops for Kaminga.<\/p>\n
I’m not That, that probably doesn’t like include That’s like a part of their off-season but it’s not their full off-season.<\/p>\n
I’m not That, that probably doesn’t like include That’s like a part of their off-season but it’s not their full off-season.<\/p>\n
but yeah, I enjoyed their off-season.<\/p>\n
but yeah, I enjoyed their off-season.<\/p>\n
I think they did a really good job.<\/p>\n
I think they did a really good job.<\/p>\n
Dyson Daniels has kind of improved offensively a little bit.<\/p>\n
Dyson Daniels has kind of improved offensively a little bit.<\/p>\n
He’s kinda been showing you a lot more flashes offensively this season.<\/p>\n
He’s kinda been showing you a lot more flashes offensively this season.<\/p>\n
So I think they did a pretty good job.<\/p>\n
So I think they did a pretty good job.<\/p>\n
I think I’m on the side of Derrick.<\/p>\n
I think I’m on the side of Derrick.<\/p>\n
I think you can get a good grade without every move you make being a, a home run.<\/p>\n
I think you can get a good grade without every move you make being a, a home run.<\/p>\n
The one move they made has been a consistent thing for them and has helped them reach a certain level of success even without some of the, the others.<\/p>\n
The one move they made has been a consistent thing for them and has helped them reach a certain level of success even without some of the, the others.<\/p>\n
And I think that also helped them commit to making a move.<\/p>\n
And I think that also helped them commit to making a move.<\/p>\n
The Nick Alexander Walker, way that he played I think allowed them to be a little bit more comfortable maybe trading Trae Young and, and allowing Jalen Johnson to be the guy.<\/p>\n
The Nick Alexander Walker, way that he played I think allowed them to be a little bit more comfortable maybe trading Trae Young and, and allowing Jalen Johnson to be the guy.<\/p>\n
So if that’s what opened up and allowed them to have this success that they’re having, then yeah, it has to be like a B+ or an A.<\/p>\n
So if that’s what opened up and allowed them to have this success that they’re having, then yeah, it has to be like a B+ or an A.<\/p>\n
So I think we all in, kinda in the same boat there.<\/p>\n
So I think we all in, kinda in the same boat there.<\/p>\n
I buried the lead, y’all.<\/p>\n
I buried the lead, y’all.<\/p>\n
‘Cause the biggest off-season acquisition was that Pelicans pick.<\/p>\n
‘Cause the biggest off-season acquisition was that Pelicans pick.<\/p>\n
Oh, yeah.<\/p>\n
Oh, yeah.<\/p>\n
Oh, yeah.<\/p>\n
Oh, yeah.<\/p>\n
Yeah, plus that.<\/p>\n
Yeah, plus that.<\/p>\n
Oh, yeah.<\/p>\n
Oh, yeah.<\/p>\n
Plus that.<\/p>\n
Plus that.<\/p>\n
So then that easily makes it like a A+.<\/p>\n
So then that easily makes it like a A+.<\/p>\n
I think y’all, y’all are all right, ’cause I think that obviously it didn’t go exactly the way they thought it was.<\/p>\n
I think y’all, y’all are all right, ’cause I think that obviously it didn’t go exactly the way they thought it was.<\/p>\n
We all were really high on the Trae Young, Porzingis, and Jalen Johnson’s breakout- and it didn’t work that way and they flipped some of those guys for some different things.<\/p>\n
We all were really high on the Trae Young, Porzingis, and Jalen Johnson’s breakout- and it didn’t work that way and they flipped some of those guys for some different things.<\/p>\n
And I think that they are in an even better spot now.<\/p>\n
And I think that they are in an even better spot now.<\/p>\n
And they didn’t have their own first-round pick this season, right?<\/p>\n
And they didn’t have their own first-round pick this season, right?<\/p>\n
So they acquired someone else’s that is gonna be more valuable than their, their.<\/p>\n
So they acquired someone else’s that is gonna be more valuable than their, their.<\/p>\n
Yeah.<\/p>\n
Yeah.<\/p>\n
So I think that their off-season grade last year when we talked about it was an A, A+ for all of us.<\/p>\n
So I think that their off-season grade last year when we talked about it was an A, A+ for all of us.<\/p>\n
I think it probably stays that way but for different reasons.<\/p>\n
I think it probably stays that way but for different reasons.<\/p>\n
Yeah.<\/p>\n
Yeah.<\/p>\n
I feel like that’s rare.<\/p>\n
I feel like that’s rare.<\/p>\n
Yeah.<\/p>\n
Yeah.<\/p>\n
It’s not like Porzingis was like, oh, he’s healthy and averaging 25.<\/p>\n
It’s not like Porzingis was like, oh, he’s healthy and averaging 25.<\/p>\n
It’s like no, we, we, not luck, but we were the opportu- opportunistic enough to say yes to Joe Dumars and now we got breakout from all of these dudes.<\/p>\n
It’s like no, we, we, not luck, but we were the opportu- opportunistic enough to say yes to Joe Dumars and now we got breakout from all of these dudes.<\/p>\n
So that’s a win.<\/p>\n
So that’s a win.<\/p>\n
Yeah.<\/p>\n
Yeah.<\/p>\n
Let’s move on to the Cleveland Cavaliers who didn’t do a ton but they traded Isaac Okoro for Lonzo Ball.<\/p>\n
Let’s move on to the Cleveland Cavaliers who didn’t do a ton but they traded Isaac Okoro for Lonzo Ball.<\/p>\n
They brought back Larry Nance, Thomas Bryant.<\/p>\n
They brought back Larry Nance, Thomas Bryant.<\/p>\n
They lost Ty Jerome, like I mentioned, Isaac Okoro, and they resigned Sam Merrill on a four-year deal.<\/p>\n
They lost Ty Jerome, like I mentioned, Isaac Okoro, and they resigned Sam Merrill on a four-year deal.<\/p>\n
this one, it, it’s probably like a D. They didn’t really do much.<\/p>\n
this one, it, it’s probably like a D. They didn’t really do much.<\/p>\n
and the Lonzo Ball thing didn’t pan out.<\/p>\n
and the Lonzo Ball thing didn’t pan out.<\/p>\n
I knew he was a potential low-risk, high-reward, and yeah, he ended up He’s not even in the league currently.<\/p>\n
I knew he was a potential low-risk, high-reward, and yeah, he ended up He’s not even in the league currently.<\/p>\n
Mm-hmm.<\/p>\n
Mm-hmm.<\/p>\n
I’ll go C-.<\/p>\n
I’ll go C-.<\/p>\n
I agree with Derrick.<\/p>\n
I agree with Derrick.<\/p>\n
The Lonzo Ball thing was supposed to help, but I think Sam Merrill played a really big part for them while some of these guys were getting healthy.<\/p>\n
The Lonzo Ball thing was supposed to help, but I think Sam Merrill played a really big part for them while some of these guys were getting healthy.<\/p>\n
And so because of that, I’ll boost them up to like a C-.<\/p>\n
And so because of that, I’ll boost them up to like a C-.<\/p>\n
Yeah, I think C- is probably about the right answer.<\/p>\n
Yeah, I think C- is probably about the right answer.<\/p>\n
I think alongside Sam Merrill, Thomas Bryant has also been there when they had a lot of their bigs down too, so he’s been important.<\/p>\n
I think alongside Sam Merrill, Thomas Bryant has also been there when they had a lot of their bigs down too, so he’s been important.<\/p>\n
I’d probably go D, mostly ’cause, I mean, this is not even by, by their own doing, I guess.<\/p>\n
I’d probably go D, mostly ’cause, I mean, this is not even by, by their own doing, I guess.<\/p>\n
They let Ty, Ty Jerome walk thinking that he was gonna be worth way more than what he e- eventually went for.<\/p>\n
They let Ty, Ty Jerome walk thinking that he was gonna be worth way more than what he e- eventually went for.<\/p>\n
Obviously he missed like half the season, but he’s been so good since he came back and that is definitely the type of player that they would need.<\/p>\n
Obviously he missed like half the season, but he’s been so good since he came back and that is definitely the type of player that they would need.<\/p>\n
Obviously they- Yeah eventually went out to sign, you know, to trade for Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis to kind of fill that void.<\/p>\n
Obviously they- Yeah eventually went out to sign, you know, to trade for Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis to kind of fill that void.<\/p>\n
But I’m just thinking about, man, that he was so good last season with that team and they let him go for Lonzo who, after a couple games, he was just out of the rotation completely.<\/p>\n
But I’m just thinking about, man, that he was so good last season with that team and they let him go for Lonzo who, after a couple games, he was just out of the rotation completely.<\/p>\n
And it’s even crazy when you hear Ty Jerome say that he was never offered a contract.<\/p>\n
And it’s even crazy when you hear Ty Jerome say that he was never offered a contract.<\/p>\n
Like, that’s- I didn’t know that that’s even, that’s even crazier.<\/p>\n
Like, that’s- I didn’t know that that’s even, that’s even crazier.<\/p>\n
I think he had said something on like Twitter or Instagram in the comments or something- I wonder- that he was never offered so from your perspective, let’s say you are the GM of this team and you know you don’t have a lot of money to offer.<\/p>\n
I think he had said something on like Twitter or Instagram in the comments or something- I wonder- that he was never offered so from your perspective, let’s say you are the GM of this team and you know you don’t have a lot of money to offer.<\/p>\n
Is it, is it more respectful to not offer anything if you don’t think that you have enough for that person’s value?<\/p>\n
Is it, is it more respectful to not offer anything if you don’t think that you have enough for that person’s value?<\/p>\n
I think you gotta say- Right like, “This is what we have,” right?<\/p>\n
I think you gotta say- Right like, “This is what we have,” right?<\/p>\n
Mm-hmm.<\/p>\n
Mm-hmm.<\/p>\n
And you gotta meet it at the middle ground.<\/p>\n
And you gotta meet it at the middle ground.<\/p>\n
But not giving an offer is a little disrespectful.<\/p>\n
But not giving an offer is a little disrespectful.<\/p>\n
Yeah, I think you have to give an offer and then he can count- ‘Cause I could see it the other way.<\/p>\n
Yeah, I think you have to give an offer and then he can count- ‘Cause I could see it the other way.<\/p>\n
Oh, I’m worth 20 and you offer me eight?<\/p>\n
Oh, I’m worth 20 and you offer me eight?<\/p>\n
That’s hella disrespectful.<\/p>\n
That’s hella disrespectful.<\/p>\n
Yeah.<\/p>\n
Yeah.<\/p>\n
But I’m only, I’m only doing that ’cause we have a relationship.<\/p>\n
But I’m only, I’m only doing that ’cause we have a relationship.<\/p>\n
You’re a player on my team.<\/p>\n
You’re a player on my team.<\/p>\n
We want you back.<\/p>\n
We want you back.<\/p>\n
This is what we have.<\/p>\n
This is what we have.<\/p>\n
If it’s not enough for you, then okay.<\/p>\n
If it’s not enough for you, then okay.<\/p>\n
Yeah.<\/p>\n
Yeah.<\/p>\n
A little lower.<\/p>\n
A little lower.<\/p>\n
But to, but to just assume that someb- that you don’t have enough for somebody that’s on your team is kinda mind-boggling to me.<\/p>\n
But to, but to just assume that someb- that you don’t have enough for somebody that’s on your team is kinda mind-boggling to me.<\/p>\n
‘Cause I’m gonna communicate with somebody who just had a really good year- Mm-hmm a part of a really good team, that we probably wanna bring back.<\/p>\n
‘Cause I’m gonna communicate with somebody who just had a really good year- Mm-hmm a part of a really good team, that we probably wanna bring back.<\/p>\n
I’m at least tapping in.<\/p>\n
I’m at least tapping in.<\/p>\n
To just assume feels kinda like somebody that wasn’t on my team.<\/p>\n
To just assume feels kinda like somebody that wasn’t on my team.<\/p>\n
You never played for the Pierre team and you hit in free agency.<\/p>\n
You never played for the Pierre team and you hit in free agency.<\/p>\n
Oh, that’s KB.<\/p>\n
Oh, that’s KB.<\/p>\n
He, he gonna want 25 million.<\/p>\n
He, he gonna want 25 million.<\/p>\n
Yeah.<\/p>\n
Yeah.<\/p>\n
But Derrick was just on my team.<\/p>\n
But Derrick was just on my team.<\/p>\n
I gotta check in somewhat.<\/p>\n
I gotta check in somewhat.<\/p>\n
I got to.<\/p>\n
I got to.<\/p>\n
I wonder how much of that playoffs really p- played a part in them not wanting, not offering him a contract, ’cause it wasn’t pretty.<\/p>\n
I wonder how much of that playoffs really p- played a part in them not wanting, not offering him a contract, ’cause it wasn’t pretty.<\/p>\n
His play- yeah, his playoffs was bad.<\/p>\n
His play- yeah, his playoffs was bad.<\/p>\n
I- And I wonder if they was like, “Yeah, this is lightning in a bottle.<\/p>\n
I- And I wonder if they was like, “Yeah, this is lightning in a bottle.<\/p>\n
He won’t be able to replicate that type of season again.”<\/p>\n
He won’t be able to replicate that type of season again.”<\/p>\n
Yeah, that could’ve been it.<\/p>\n
Yeah, that could’ve been it.<\/p>\n
Yeah.<\/p>\n
Yeah.<\/p>\n
And if it is, they gotta hold that L ’cause they should’ve known better<\/p>\n
And if it is, they gotta hold that L ’cause they should’ve known better<\/p>\n