Previewing the Southeast Division | Yardbarker

Dancing Trousers

Atlanta Hawks

Additions: Bogdan Bogdanovic, Danilo Gallinari, Rajon Rondo, Onyeka Okongwu, Kris Dunn, Solomon Hill, Tony Snell

Losses: Dewayne Dedmon, Jeff Teague, Vince Carter, Treveon Graham, Skal Labissiere, DeAndre’ Bembry, Damian Jones

2019-20 File: 20-47, 14th in Japanese Convention

Evaluation: No division saw its teams enhance much more this offseason than the Southeast, and no group in the division improved much more than the Atlanta Hawks. The ’19-20 year was intended to be the calendar year Atlanta manufactured a playoff press, but the Hawks completed with just one of the worst records in the NBA. That set GM Travis Schlenk and head coach Lloyd Pierce under pressure to get items turned all-around this time.

Aiding in that turnaround are main updates in depth at every situation on the roster. Atlanta swapped out one of the league’s most underperforming reserve teams for a group that is now as deep as any in the NBA. Soon after the rumored indication-and-trade of Bogdan Bogdanovic to the Milwaukee Bucks fell apart, the Hawks swooped in and received Bogdanovic for 4 decades and $72 million. He’ll possible commence as a single of the wings and offer some further scoring and playmaking. The lengthy scoring droughts Atlanta suffered with out Trae Youthful on the flooring should not come about with as substantially frequency with Bogdanovic all-around.

Also aiding in that regard is the signing of Danilo Gallinari. Originally, the Hawks plan to carry Gallinari off the bench. He’ll be the team’s main backup ahead behind John Collins and both De’Andre Hunter or Kevin Huerter. In this purpose, Gallinari can be the scoring anchor for the 2nd device. He’ll also provide wonderful depth in the frontcourt, need to personal injury or disease strike.

Atlanta played a great deal of the ’19-20 year without having a good quality backup for Youthful. Jeff Teague solved that when he was acquired midseason, but the Hawks produced further upgrades in free agency. Fresh off a title run with the Los Angeles Lakers, Rajon Rondo will be Young’s primary backup. That ought to make it possible for Pierce to place Young relaxation for the duration of games, devoid of be concerned that the offense will collapse.

The Hawks also additional Kris Dunn, who is promptly the team’s finest perimeter defender. Dunn will be deployed in all types of lineups off the bench. It wouldn’t be a shock to see Dunn shut some game titles, in particular when Atlanta requires stops late.

The team is acquiring a reward addition of sorts, as Clint Capela will make his Hawks debut following remaining obtained at the trade deadline. Since Atlanta’s time finished in mid-March, Capela has not suited up for his new workforce just but. He’s going to be counted on to keep down the starting middle spot, when being backed up by rookie Onyeka Okongwu. Those people two ought to give the Hawks defense, rebounding and finishing all-around the rim that they’ve lacked from that posture for the past few several years.

The final get of small business right before this period commences is to hammer out a agreement extension with Collins. Each sides look to be rather significantly aside, and Atlanta’s other offseason moves show it is at minimum well prepared for life without the need of Collins. If no extension is achieved, Collins could be a potential trade chip for upgrades in-season.

Immediately after falling shorter of pushing ahead for the playoffs last period, the Hawks extra veterans around their youthful core. They have levels of competition for minutes on a nightly foundation now at just about every place. Which is a very good matter, even if it signifies Pierce will have to have some hard discussions. It is a move too considerably to say Atlanta is guaranteed a playoff spot in the East, but the Hawks should quite considerably be in the 7-10 participate in-in blend.

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