National Basketball Association

Atlanta Hawks: 5 Biggest Mistakes Of The 21st Century

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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While the Hawks front office has certainly made great transactions in the past, they have certainly had blunders.What were the worst decisions after 2000?

Apr 19, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) passes the ball in front of Brooklyn Nets forward Joe Johnson (7) and center Brook Lopez (11) during the second half in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Nets 99-92. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Many players have come and gone since the Hawks moved to Atlanta in 1968. Of course, most Hawks fans know of the team trading Bill Russell after he was drafted and not holding onto Julius Erving.

However, plenty of decisions have been made recently that have seemed to not pan out as expected.

From passing up on star-potential rookies in the draft, to over-paying undeserving players, the team certainly wishes that they could go back in time for a couple of these. Everybody makes mistakes and the Hawks are no exception.

So, without further ado, here are the biggest Hawks front office mistakes of the 21st century.

5. Drafting Josh Childress

In June of 2004, the Hawks drafted Josh Childress (5th overall) and Josh Smith (17th overall). This was seen as the marking of a new beginning of a new era in Atlanta. It was only after this that Phillips Arena was dubbed “The Highlight Factory”, with Childress and Smith bringing a fast-paced, run-and-gun offense that attracted fans to games for the first time in years. For his career in Atlanta, Childress averaged close to 12 points per game. So why is he considered a mistake?

Childress was a solid player for the Hawks, but did not meet expectations. At the time of the draft, Billy Knight was calling the shots from the office. He drafted Childress in hopes of watching him develop into an All-Star and reliable option in Atlanta. Further proof of this is the fact that Childress was playing nearly 37 minutes a game in his third season and producing just about 10 PPG.

Atlanta offered him a 5-year/$33 million contract after his fourth season in Atlanta, but he rejected it to go play overseas. After his choice to leave the NBA, fans could not help but to think how much better off the team would be had Billy Knight chosen Luol Deng or Andre Iguodala (drafted 7th and 9th) instead of Childress. Both players have been All-Stars and have proven to be game-changers.

4. Joe Johnson’s Contract Extension

In one of the greatest trades in Atlanta Hawks history, Joe Johnson was acquired from the Suns for Boris Diaw. He emerged as a star player and the undoubted #1 scoring option for a young, high-flying Hawks team. He gave energetic players a calming presence and constantly answered the call in games.

In the summer of 2010, it was clear that he was deserving of a big contract. However, then General Manager Rick Sund did something no one really saw coming. He gave Johnson six-year, $123.7 million contract, which, at the time, made him the NBA’s highest-paid player.

For the following seasons, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Dwayne Wade, and Carmelo Anthony headlined a list of superstars earning less money off of salary than Johnson.

If Johnson would have kept up his productivity, then this contract would have not made the list. The thing is, he got worse over time. His once 25 PPG dropped to 18 PPG. Also, his usage dwindled as star big-men Josh Smith and Al Horford began to show their capabilities. One can only wonder what would have happened if Johnson took less money and the Hawks were left with cap space.

3. Drafting Sheldon Williams

Sheldon Williams was drawing comparisons to David Robinson prior to his rookie season in 2005. He finished his college career being Duke’s all-time leader in rebounds, as well as being the record holder for both career and single-season blocked shots. Also, he was the third player in NCAA history to score 1500 points, grab 1000 rebounds, block 350 shots, and pick up 150 steals.

Taken fifth by the Hawks, Williams was a household name among first-year players. He received significant minutes, playing in 81 games and starting 31 of them. However, he put up a discouraging 5.5 points and five rebounds a game, and never really gelled with the other players. He constantly made wrong decisions on the court and had trouble memorizing plays. After just one and a half seasons in a Hawks uniform, he was dealt to the Kings for eventual Atlanta fan-favorite point guard, Mike Bibby.

The biggest loss with this is who could have been drafted instead. Future stars Brandon Roy, Rudy Gay, Rajon Rondo, and Kyle Lowry were all available. Each one of these players were likely to be a Hawk for a long time.

Roy and Gay had immediate impacts for their respective teams. Although Lowry just recently gained star status, the Hawks would have held on to him because of their then-desperate need of a point guard.

2. Trading Away the Early-Decade Core

These events actually occurred in 1999, but they affected the 2000 roster and afterward. In 1999, the Hawks traded Steve Smith to Portland for Isaiah Rider and Jim Jackson. They also sent Mookie Blaylock and a first round draft pick to the Warriors for Bimbo Coles and a first round draft pick. Smith and Blaylock were both All-Stars and Blaylock is widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive players of all-time. His eight total All-NBA honors and two seasons leading the league in steals backs up these claims.

Rider had issues off the court, mainly centered around his attitude and drugs. He was released that season after showing up late to a game. It was a shame because he was actually leading the Hawks with 19 PPG. So, why was this deal done?

After years of getting eliminated from the playoffs, the Hawks were looking to rebuild. However, here we are 16 years later with not much progress. What would have happened if the team kept the core? What if Smith, Blaylock, and Mutombo attracted a player like Vince Carter or Tracy McGrady?

1. Drafting Marvin Williams

Oh, boy. Before the required criticism of Marvin Williams begins, let me just say that he was a solid player in his career in Atlanta. For his career in the Highlight Factory, Williams put up a respectable 11 points per game and constantly improved his shot, eventually evolving from a slasher to an all-around threat.

He had a great and decently lengthy career as the Hawks starting small forward. He constantly produced at a stable level and was part of the original core of high-flyers that started the “Highlight Factory”. He would have been loved by all and everything would have been fine had Williams been taken mid-to-late first round. However, that was not the case.

Marvin was drafted with the second pick in the NBA Draft, ahead of Deron Williams, Chris Paul, and Andrew Bynum. The Hawks front office passed up on three All-Stars and one potential Hall-of-Famer to get Williams.

The most mind-boggling thing about this is that the Hawks were loaded on forwards. Josh Childress, Josh Smith, Joe Johnson, and Al Harrington were all there. What they needed was a point guard, as mentioned in the slide about Sheldon Williams. At that time, the Hawks were alternating starting Tyronne Lue and Royal Ivey at the point.

Imagine a lineup in 2005 featuring Chris Paul, Joe Johnson, Josh Childress, and Josh Smith. This would attract superstars from all over the league and the Hawks might have had a ring by now had they drafted Paul.

Even Williams would have been a reasonable pick that would be considered a great decision look back it it. He was a top 3 point guard for a good portion of his career.

Marvin Williams was a solid player, but Chris Paul or Deron Williams had the potential to bring a ring to the A.

Respect to Marv, though. Here’s a few highlights of his Atlanta career.