Where do Hawks fit in a competitive Eastern Conference?

The Atlanta Hawks finally made their move on Friday night as they offloaded Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans. In return, they received a two first-round picks (Lakers' 2025, and the worst of either the Bucks or Pelicans in 2027), forwards Larry Nance Jr. and E.J. Liddell, and guards Dyson Daniels.

Now that the weekend has come and gone, fans have had some time to digest the trade. Are the Hawks in a better position to compete now than they were before? If so, where do they stack up in an increasingly crowded Eastern Conference?

"So where do the Hawks fit in the Eastern Conference? That's really the biggest question that now lingers," Garrett asked Steak during The Steakhouse on Monday morning. "But do you think the Hawks are better than a play-in team?"

"It's going to be very, very difficult," Steak replied. "Let's just be real."

The Eastern Conference, in no uncertain terms, is about to be loaded heading into the 2024-25 season.

The reigning champion Boston Celtics are still a stacked team, and they're bringing back their entire roster. The Knicks were the two-seed and they just added Mikal Bridges to their rotation while the 76ers just added Paul George to give Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid a dominant wing. The Pacers just went to the Eastern Conference Finals on the back of an elite offense that will all be back in the fold. The Bucks should be right back in the thick of things with Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Meanwhile, the Magic appear to be a team on the rise after a breakout year last season from Paolo Banchero.

"We're just being real here," Steak continued. "There are two way of looking at it -- we can assess the trade and say, 'Listen, they did okay in the trade and got two number one [picks] back, and a defensive player that could get better since he's a young player,' but then there's the reality of the Eastern Conference."

Do the Hawks fit into this equation at all? Regardless of whether or not they 'won' the trade with New Orleans, this roster will need some standout performances from people other than Trae Young to be a contender next season.

Strange things happen throughout an NBA season, but they certainly have some ground to make up.

"It looks like there are a lot of teams in the East that are poised to make a runs and go for it," Steak said. "We just don't look like one of those teams. I don't know how Quin Snyder can get this team to a six-seed. I don't know how that happens."