In a notable shift for the Atlanta Hawks, Onsi Saleh has been promoted to General Manager following the dismissal of Landry Fields. Fields had a three-year tenure marked by two consecutive missed playoff appearances. The Hawks concluded the season with a 40-42 record and failed to advance past the play-in tournament. Principal owner Tony Ressler emphasized the need for a strategic overhaul, indicating their commitment to providing necessary resources in this crucial offseason.

Saleh's ascent comes after a year with the Hawks, having previously served as VP of Basketball Strategy with the Golden State Warriors. This move reflects the franchise's ambitions to secure a strong leadership position as they look to revitalize their playoff aspirations, particularly given the talent in players like Trae Young and Dyson Daniels.

The Atlanta Hawks' decision to fire Landry Fields as general manager has sparked controversy, with many believing it to be a misstep. Fields, who transitioned from assistant GM to his current role in 2022, oversaw a team that, while not achieving postseason success, demonstrated competitive spirit. His key offseason move included trading Dejounte Murray for Dyson Daniels, a rising star and Defensive Player of the Year finalist. Unfortunately, the Hawks missed the playoffs, partly due to Jalen Johnson's injury. Yet, the organization made several promising additions, such as Rookie of the Year finalist Zaccharie Risacher and effective contract negotiations for Onyeka Okongwu and Johnson. With the roster showing signs of improvement, Fields' dismissal leaves many questioning what could have been.

As the 2024-25 NBA regular season approaches its conclusion, the league has revealed the finalists for its major individual awards. Leading the charge for the MVP award are Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. Jokic, seeking a fourth MVP title, has averaged an impressive 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game. Meanwhile, Gilgeous-Alexander topped the scoring charts this season, leading the Thunder to a franchise-record 68 wins.

In the Defensive Player of the Year race, finalists include Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley, Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green, and Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels. Mobley is making waves with his first All-Star nod, while Green has consistently performed on both ends of the floor, contributing to the Warriors' resurgence. The Most Improved Player award will see Cade Cunningham, Ivica Zubac, and Daniels competing for the honor, reflecting their significant growth and contributions to their respective teams this season.

The Rookie of the Year finalists feature Atlanta Hawks' Zaccharie Risacher, San Antonio Spurs' Stephon Castle, and Memphis Grizzlies' Jaylen Wells, showcasing the incoming talent in the league. Additionally, the Sixth Man of the Year race has Payton Pritchard, Ty Jerome, and Malik Beasley in contention, highlighting their impactful performances off the bench. The announcement of individual awards is highly anticipated as basketball fans and fantasy sports enthusiasts alike consider the implications for player value moving forward.

The waiver wire is crucial in fantasy basketball, offering opportunities to pick up players who can significantly impact your team. This season, several players with an ADP outside the top 130 emerged as valuable assets. Dyson Daniels of the Atlanta Hawks, with a preseason ADP of 136, showcased remarkable talent, ranking 14th overall with averages of 14.1 points and a historic 229 steals. Christian Braun, starting for the Denver Nuggets, improved throughout the season, finishing with 15.4 points per game and a final month rank of 41.

Kelly Oubre of the Philadelphia 76ers had a rollercoaster season, affected by injuries but managing a solid 15.1 points when healthy. Jaden McDaniels displayed flashes of brilliance for the Minnesota Timberwolves, while Tari Eason from the Houston Rockets began slowly but became a potential draft target next season. Adem Bona and Toumani Camara both found their footing late in the season, suggesting they could be valuable picks as well.

The 2024-25 Fantasy Basketball Awards reveal a mix of triumph and disappointment. Paul George of the Philadelphia 76ers takes the dubious title of Biggest Disappointment, with a season marred by injuries and a stark drop in stats, averaging just 16.2 points. On the flip side, rookie Stephon Castle of the San Antonio Spurs shines with a Rookie of the Year award, thriving in his starting role and averaging 19.1 points over the last 15 games. Dyson Daniels of the Atlanta Hawks earns the Breakout Player honor, elevating his game with averages of 14.3 points and 3.0 steals. Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies is recognized as the Defensive Player of the Year, showcasing his defensive skills with 1.3 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. In the midst of injuries to stars, Chicago Bulls’ Josh Giddey becomes the Fantasy Playoffs Hero, helping managers with averages of 20.8 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 9.2 assists. Finally, Josh Hart of the New York Knicks earns the title of Fantasy MVP, proving to be a valuable pick for those who drafted him late.