The East will make the Hawks' lives difficult and that's music to the Spurs' ears

Atlanta went 46-36 last season, cruising to the six-seed in what was a very manageable Eastern Conference. That was better than Spurs fans had hoped, but this year could bring better fortunes. San Antonio still owns the Hawks' 2027 first-round pick, unprotected, and the field around them just got a lot less forgiving.

There are two avenues to a favorable outcome now. Spurs Nation doesn't have to just hope ATL implodes. The competition may just be too much to overcome. San Antonio gets a better draft pick either way.

The Spurs can get one more lottery pick before their ascension

That pick traces back to the Dejounte Murray trade, and it's the one piece of the deal still hanging out there. Whatever Atlanta does over the next two seasons, that first-rounder is landing in San Antonio.

We've already seen the Hawks cost this franchise. Their surge last season torched a long-shot lottery scenario as they played themselves into the playoffs and gifted the Spurs the 20th pick—not ideal. Fortunately, Jayden Quaintance has the potential to end up as the steal of the draft, but we'll have to wait a while before we see whether that plays out.

Looking forward, SA can land a lottery pick for next summer's draft, but the always-annoying Oklahoma City Thunder are trying to make that difficult. They sent Luguentz Dort and Aaron Wiggins to the Hawks for a couple of second-rounders that barely register. Two useful wings added for practically nothing.

They know the Spurs have Atlanta's pick, and you won't convince me the move wasn't intentional sabotage. It may not work anyway, courtesy of the now-vaunted Eastern Conference.

The East won't let the Hawks breathe easy

New York enters as the reigning champion (barf), Detroit's a problem, and Cleveland, Philly, and Boston round out a legitimately stacked top five. Now factor in the Giannis-led Miami HEAT, Tyrese Haliburton's return for Indiana, and Kawhi Leonard's arrival in Toronto now that the cap circumvention investigation is complete.

And we can't forget Orlando. They made the playoffs last season and hired ex-Spurs assistant Sean Sweeney as their head coach. If that turns out to be a strong hire, you can't sleep on the Magic, either. They'll contend for a top-eight spot once again. That's a thin margin.

If the Hawks slide into the play-in and miss the playoffs, San Antonio gets another lottery pick. Even something in the 10-14 range is a real asset for a roster this loaded already. The best part is knowing the Spurs don't have to do anything to make it happen, but watch the Eastern Conference cannibalize itself.

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