Atlanta — After bowing out of the playoffs, the Hawks say the brief postseason run clarified their roster needs for 2026-27. General manager Onsi Saleh told reporters the club will “build piece by piece,” emphasizing sustainability over splashy moves. Atlanta owns two first-round picks and has salary-cap flexibility that could be used either on free agents or to renegotiate with current players.
Saleh cautioned that the franchise is “not a single player away” from contention. League sources expect guard CJ McCollum and forward Jonathan Kuminga to return, while the futures of Gabe Vincent, Keaton Wallace, Buddy Hield and Tony Bradley remain uncertain.
Magic’s playoff drought reaches 16 years
Orlando’s season ended with a Game 7 loss to Detroit, erasing a 3-1 series lead and extending the club’s streak without a postseason series victory. The absence of injured wing Franz Wagner in the final three contests loomed large. Observers noted the team’s point-guard-by-committee approach struggled under pressure, and guard Desmond Bane highlighted rebounding as a key issue after Orlando was beaten on the glass in every defeat.
Forward Paolo Banchero called the early exit “unacceptable,” urging a top-to-bottom mindset that keeps “everybody on their Ps and Qs” heading into the summer.
Riley urges patience with Heat youngsters
During his end-of-season media availability, Heat president Pat Riley twice suggested head coach Erik Spoelstra give Miami’s young players more latitude to learn through mistakes, even at the cost of regular-season wins. Riley also indicated the organization could include its projected No. 13 overall pick in trade discussions for a star, while cautioning he has no interest in acquiring “damaged goods.”
Source: Hoops Rumors
