via Getty
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 30: Kevin Huerter #3, De’Andre Hunter #12, Trae Young #11, Cam Reddish #22, Vince Carter #15 and John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks pose for a portrait during media day on September 30, 2019 at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
via Getty
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 30: Kevin Huerter #3, De’Andre Hunter #12, Trae Young #11, Cam Reddish #22, Vince Carter #15 and John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks pose for a portrait during media day on September 30, 2019 at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
It’s been three years now since the Atlanta Hawks made it to playoffs. The team is clearly in a transitional phase, having one of the youngest rosters in the NBA. The team finished with second worst record in the east with 20 wins and 47 losses.
The Young Hawks
The roster comprises of some exciting & talented players like Trae Young, John Collins, Kevin Huerter and DeAndre Hunter to name a few. Young is clearly an elite scorer and is the centerpiece of the roster.
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‘Ice Trae’ averaged around 29.6 points, 9.3 assists and 4 rebounds in the previous season. The same season he played his first all-star game. Not only he is a great shooter but also a high IQ playmaker. Young was the focal point of the Hawks’ attack.
Apart from Young, power forward, John Collins also stepped up. He averaged 21.6 points, 10.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists. Collins proved that he can become a significant support for Young.
Then there are the two even more younger players: DeAndre Hunter and Kevin Huerter. Hunter led all rookies in minutes last season and shot over 34 percent from beyond the arc. He also showed flashes of capability with the ball in his hands as a secondary playmaker.
Kevin Huerter showed glimpses of his attacking prowess in both scoring and playmaking and can fir into any offensive role. His progress in the side was hampered because of injuries. The upcoming season will be pivotal in his growth.
Adding Veterans to the roster
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Clint Capela was traded to the Hawks in the middle of the 2019-20 season and hasn’t played since. The Hawks lack an elite center and Capella might be the ideal fit for the role.
The Hawks currently have the 6th pick in the NBA draft. Atlanta should look to target one of the big men available in the draft class that is James Wiseman or Onyeka Okongwu. The draft pick can be a great backup to the center position of Clint Capela.
They can also use the draft pick combined with some other assets like Damian Jones and Jeff Teague to bring a wantaway star into the roster. This can add the quality and the experience needed in the inexperienced squad,
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The Hawks will also have an estimated cap space of $49 million. This can be used to get more experienced vets available in the 2020 free agency. The addition of Bogdanovic can be a substantial addition, as he can add as the backup for Young in the guard position.
The Atlanta Hawks already have an exciting core of young players. Adding some quality veterans can surely elevate this team to a regular in the playoffs.
