The Atlanta Hawks decided not to make too many moves at this past trade deadline, opting to ride things out with this core of players. Was that a mistake?

Welp, the post All-Star break stretch run hasn’t exactly been all that fun for the Atlanta Hawks. Two bad losses have the Hawks leaning precariously close to sixth place in the Eastern Conference. This team was supposed to be making a run at home court advantage. However, as the team has shown all year (and last season), it’s just not quite a title contender.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are a LeBron James team, so they’re pretty good. The Washington Wizards’ star players are finally gelling. The Toronto Raptors loaded up big time for a shot at the Cavs.

What did the Hawks do? They snagged Ersan Ilyasova. While not a bad player, Atlanta wasn’t a player away. They are a star away, a deeper bench away. To give credit where credit is due, the front office tried to make a run at Paul George and Jimmy Butler, but obviously the team didn’t get them.

The core of this team is obviously flawed, and probably not competing for a championship. So, if the team wasn’t going to add major pieces, why not just blow it up? Paul Millsap has an expiring contract. Thabo Sefolosha would be a great piece for a contender.

Dwight Howard definitely still has value. The Hawks, or the front office, had two triggers to pull. And they pulled neither.