LeBron James has broken the internet yet again, this time involving his son Bronny James and the prospective acquisition by the Atlanta Hawks. Bronny James is expected to declare for next year’s draft and is projected to be a possible lottery pick. ESPN released their first 2024 mock draft and predicted that Bronny will go 17th to the Atalanta Hawks, causing LeBron James to react on Instagram. Of course, this made news across Twitter and Instagram because The King, albeit tongue in cheek, made it clear his intentions are to join his son if he does get drafted by the Hawks.
Of course, the current star of the Atlanta Hawks, Trae Young, was forced to react on social media in what seemed to be some form of player tampering. A player of Young’s ability would prosper alongside LeBron James because his ability to score and read defenses would make the Hawks the most dominant offensive team in the league. Now, if Bronny James does end up getting taken as a lottery pick to the Hawks, the franchise could actually be onto something in terms of building a superteam.
The trade of John Collins was absolutely massive because the Hawks freed up Collins’ $78 million contract over the next three seasons and the incoming Rudy Gay will be a free agent following the 2023-24 NBA season. With Collins gone and some cap space available, the Atlanta Hawks can go all-in next season and create a superteam with the acquisition of Bronny James, and here are the steps to doing so.
Atlanta Hawks Draft Bronny James
If the Atlanta Hawks were to draft Bronny James in the 2024 NBA Draft, it would undoubtedly generate immense excitement and media attention. Bronny’s lineage and the association with his father, one of the greatest basketball players of all time, would create a significant buzz around the team and attract a larger fanbase. The Hawks would likely benefit from increased ticket sales, merchandise revenue, and overall brand recognition.
From a basketball standpoint, drafting Bronny James would bring promising young talent to the team. Given his upbringing and exposure to high-level basketball, Bronny would likely possess a strong basketball IQ and a well-rounded skill set. While it is challenging to predict his exact trajectory, he has shown potential as a skilled guard with solid shooting and playmaking abilities. Bronny has a more than solid pull-up jumper, and if he inherits any amount of his father’s basketball IQ, he will be a solid starter for the Hawks.
The decision for the Hawks to draft Bronny James would depend on the Hawks’ evaluation of his talent, potential, and fit within their long-term plans. If reports are true that the guard will be a lottery pick, the Hawks will draft him knowing his father will be right behind him in free agency.
LeBron James Signs A 1-Year Deal With The Hawks
LeBron James has made no secret that he wants to play with his eldest son in the NBA before retiring. The King’s desire to step on the same team as his son would be too strong to resist. James seems settled with his 4 NBA titles, 4 Finals MVPs, 4 MVPs, and the all-time scoring record, so seeing another season out with the Lakers before joining the team of his choice in the 2025 season makes a ton of sense. James is not hard-pressed for money at all, as he is the first player to earn over $500 million in NBA salary alone.
James has a player option of over $50 million in 2025, but would he be willing to waive that and join the team that has his son? Absolutely. With The King a free agent, he will gladly sign a mid-level deal with the Atlanta Hawks to pair up with his son and offensive superstar Trae Young. James will likely be willing to take a major pay cut to play with his son and also capture his 5th NBA championship, and it would absolutely shatter news outlets if he becomes a Hawk. With Bronny in town and Trae Young still pulling the strings at point guard, LeBron James kickstarts the new era of a superteam.
Paul George Signs In Free Agency
Dejounte Murray made the All-Star Team in the 2021-22 NBA season and posted 20.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG, and 6.1 APG this past season with the Atlanta Hawks. As solid as he is on both ends of the court, he will be allowed to walk if it means bringing in Bronny James as the team’s new shooting guard beside Trae Young and LeBron James as the starting forward. Murray is a free agent after the 2023-24 NBA season, and he will be allowed to leave because there is another elite All-Star who will be available: Paul George.
George will be over 34 years old by the time the 2024-25 season rolls around and will be looking for any chance to capture an NBA championship if he does not win it next year with the Los Angeles Clippers. George made his 8th All-Star Team this past season and can still defend at an elite level. No doubt, a lineup with a defensively-limited Trae Young, a rookie Bronny James, and an old LeBron James will need a two-way player who can guard the opposing team’s best player. Convincing George to take a contract worth around $30 million per season over three years seems logical for a player who wants to win a ring and also earn his one last major contract before retirement.
George is also a more than capable spot-up shooter, nailing over 38% from three for his career, and will be sharing the scoring duties with Trae, Bronny, and LeBron. As great as Murray is, he won’t be able to defend multiple positions as George can because the latter is at least four inches taller and 40 lbs heavier. The Hawks need size and defense to truly maximize Young and LeBron’s potential together, and George is the exact piece they need.
Atlanta Hawks Land Bam Adebayo In A Blockbuster Trade Scenario
The final step would be trading for All-Star center Bam Adebayo in a bid to create arguably the most talented starting lineup in NBA history. To do this, the Hawks must include Clint Capela, Bogdan Bogdanovic, De’Andre Hunter, and the 2026 First-Round Pick for the services of Miami’s elite two-way big man.
Trade Details
Atlanta Hawks Receive: Bam Adebayo
Miami Heat Receive: Clint Capela, Bogdan Bogdanovic, De’Andre Hunter, 2026 First-Round Pick
Bam Adebayo is widely regarded as one of the best centers in the NBA. His combination of athleticism, defensive prowess, and versatility would bring a new dynamic to the Hawks’ frontcourt. Adebayo’s ability to protect the rim, switch on defense, and provide interior scoring would provide a substantial upgrade over Clint Capela, enhancing the team’s overall defensive capabilities. This past season, Bam averaged 20.4 PPG, 9.2 RPG, and 3.2 APG, to go along with 1.2 SPG and 0.8 BPG. In the playoffs, the big man posted 17.9 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 3.7 APG, and 0.7 BPG.
Adebayo has already been named a two-time NBA All-Star, demonstrating his ability to perform at a high level among the league’s elite players. Acquiring a talented 25-year-old player with All-Star ability aligns with the Hawks’ goal of building a sustainable contender alongside Trae Young, the James’, and Paul George. Adebayo’s skill set would complement the team’s young core, particularly Trae Young and LeBron James, and potentially elevate the Hawks to a higher level.
While Capela provides valuable rim protection and rebounding, Adebayo brings a more well-rounded offensive game. He is an excellent passer, capable of initiating offense from the high post or facilitating from the elbows. Adebayo’s playmaking ability would enhance the Hawks’ offensive fluidity, offering more options and creating opportunities for his teammates. At the same time, he is actually a threat to make mid-range jumpers which is something Capela can’t do.
Adebayo’s age and skill set align well with the Hawks’ timeline for contention. At 25 years old, he fits the team’s young core alongside Trae Young and Bronny James while also being experienced enough to help senior players LeBron James and Paul George. With Adebayo under contract until at least 2026, the Hawks would have a long-term centerpiece to build around and potentially develop into a franchise cornerstone.
The Hawks Create A Superteam To Win A Championship
Creating a superteam by acquiring LeBron James, Bronny James, Paul George, and Bam Adebayo around Trae Young would undoubtedly be a transformative move for the Atlanta Hawks. LeBron James is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, known for his leadership skills and ability to elevate his team’s performance. His championship experience and basketball IQ would provide invaluable guidance to the young Hawks roster, including Trae Young and Bronny James. LeBron’s presence alone would significantly elevate the team’s championship aspirations.
Meanwhile, Trae Young has already established himself as a dynamic and electrifying player in the NBA. His exceptional scoring ability and playmaking skills make him a franchise cornerstone. Adding Bronny James, who has the potential to follow in his father’s footsteps, would provide an infusion of young talent and excitement. Bronny’s development alongside Trae Young would create a promising backcourt for years to come.
Acquiring Paul George and Bam Adebayo would further bolster the Hawks’ talent level and provide a solid supporting cast around Trae Young and LeBron James. Paul George is a versatile wing player with scoring ability and strong defensive skills. His presence would add another scoring threat and provide valuable two-way play. Bam Adebayo, a skilled and athletic center, would offer rim protection, rebounding, and interior scoring. Adebayo’s versatility and ability to switch defensively would significantly enhance the team’s overall defensive capabilities.
The combination of Trae Young’s shooting and playmaking, LeBron James’ all-around brilliance, Paul George’s scoring ability, and Bam Adebayo’s inside presence would create a potent offensive arsenal. The team would have multiple options and playmakers who can exploit mismatches and create scoring opportunities. This offensive firepower would make the Hawks a formidable opponent for any team in the league.
The creation of a superteam in Atlanta would not only bring immediate success but also establish the team as a destination for top-tier talent going forward. The presence of LeBron James, along with the emerging talents of Trae Young and Bronny James, would attract attention and make the Hawks a highly marketable team. The new starting lineup of Young, James, George, James, and Adebayo would win the 2024-25 NBA championship with no other team, such as the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics, or Milwaukee Bucks, able to compete with their shooting, scoring, defense, and basketball IQ.
