The Hawks (20-47) were officially eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday. Their loss to the Bulls Sunday afternoon was followed by NBA results later in the day that made it mathematically impossible for the Hawks to qualify for the postseason.
The Hawks qualified for the playoffs in each of the past 10 seasons, the second-longest active streak behind San Antonio’s 20. First-year Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk has avoided signing veterans to long-term contracts and is rebuilding the roster with a focus on acquiring draft picks and young players.
The Hawks will have at least two and as many as three first-round picks in the 2018 draft. Their own pick will be in the draft lottery, with the odds to be determined by the final standings.
The Hawks also will own the Rockets’ first-round pick via a previous trade. Houston (52-14) clinched a playoff spot on Sunday, thus assuring that the top-3 protected pick will go to the Hawks.
The Hawks will own Minnesota’s first-round pick if the Timberwolves (39-29) qualify for the playoffs. If the Timberwolves finish in the lottery this season, the Hawks would acquire the pick if Minnesota made the playoffs in either of the next two seasons.
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