Atlanta Hawks (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
What does the starting lineup look like in the upcoming season for the new-look Atlanta Hawks after an eventful offseason?
The Atlanta Hawks entered the offseason with the sixth overall pick in the NBA Draft and more salary-cap space than any other team. General manager and president of basketball operations Travis Schlenk rapidly yet methodically went to work, rebuilding this roster the way he envisioned it.
Schlenk spent the offseason maximizing his assets and acquiring veterans to help develop his young core and make the valiant playoff push the Hawks have been talking about since their season ended back in March.
When it was all said and done, and the dust finally settled, only eight players remained from last year’s team. Four of whom were rookies last year, and one (Clint Capela) never suited up for the team last season due to injury.
The Atlanta Hawks deployed 24 different starting lineups in just 67 last season. Partially due to injury, and trades also played a factor in all the inconsistencies, but it all boils down to the coaching staff and team trying to figure things out on the fly. With all the question marks and unproven talent on the roster last year, it was no surprise that we saw so many different lineups last season.
Though much improved on paper, the Hawks find themselves in a similar situation as they gear up for the start of the 2020-2021 season. The Atlanta Hawks brought in NINE new players via the draft and free agency (including a trade during free agency). They will use training camp and the preseason to determine who will fill out the starting lineup and play a complementary role off the bench.
This raises the question; who starts for the Atlanta Hawks as they vie for a playoff berth for the first time since the 2016-2017 season.
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<p>The Atlanta Hawks deployed 24 different starting lineups in just 67 last season. Partially due to injury, and trades also played a factor in all the inconsistencies, but it all boils down to the coaching staff and team trying to figure things out on the fly. With all the question marks and unproven talent on the roster last year, it was no surprise that we saw so many different lineups last season.</p>
<p>Though much improved on paper, the Hawks find themselves in a similar situation as they gear up for the start of the 2020-2021 season. The Atlanta Hawks brought in NINE new players via the draft and free agency (including a trade during free agency). They will use training camp and the preseason to determine who will fill out the starting lineup and play a complementary role off the bench.</p>
<p>This raises the question; who starts for the Atlanta Hawks as they vie for a playoff berth for the first time since the 2016-2017 season.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/08/atlanta-hawks-starting-lineup-locks/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Locks </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-384266" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/08/atlanta-hawks-starting-lineup-locks/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2155,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1205156710.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2155" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1205156710.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1205156710-768x517.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px" /><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Atlanta Hawks (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Locks for the starting lineup: Trae Young, John Collins, Clint Capela</h2>
<p>After averaging 29.6 points and 9.3 assists per game last season, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/08/atlanta-hawks-starting-lineup-locks/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/y/youngtr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">Trae Young</a> proved he is ready to run an NBA team. As the number one scoring option and the primary playmaker, there’s no question this is Young’s team, and the Atlanta Hawks will go as far as Young’s slender shoulders can carry them.</p>
<p>He desperately needs to improve his defense, but the Hawks hope some of the moves they made this offseason can help hide him on that end. He also needs to cut down on the turnovers (4.8 per game last season), which seems realistic with the weapons the team added in free agency, and he’s expected to play off-ball a lot more than in the past.</p>
<p>The versatile <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/08/atlanta-hawks-starting-lineup-locks/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/collijo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">John Collins</a> has proven to be a viable second option on offense and a prolific rebounder. Collins averaged 21.6 points and 10.1 rebounds per game last season while posting impressive .583/.401/.800 shooting splits. Expect the 6’9” forward to continue to improve on that side of the ball and be an integral part of the offense.</p>
<p>Clint Capela will make his first appearance in a Hawks uniform after being acquired at the trade deadline last season while nursing an injury. Atlanta brought in Capela to fill the role of defensive anchor and rim running big similar to when he was in Houston.</p>
<p>The Hawks love to run double drag sets (two consecutive ball-screens in transition or semi-transition) and should expect that to continue with Collins and a healthy Capela in the fold. He claims to now be fully healthy, and despite the Hawks drafting a versatile big in Onyeka Okongwu, the starting center job is Capela’s to lose.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/08/atlanta-hawks-starting-lineup-locks/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Fringe Options </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-417518" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/08/atlanta-hawks-starting-lineup-locks/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1794,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1194360652.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1794" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1194360652.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1194360652-768x861.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px" /><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Atlanta Hawks (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Fringe options for the starting lineup: Kevin Huerter, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Cam Reddish, DeAndre Hunter, Danilo Gallinari</h2>
<p>While point guard and the frontcourt positions are locked in already, the two final slots in the starting lineup remain an open competition. With so much size, shooting, and versatility on the wings, there are several directions the Hawks can go.</p>
<p>The newly acquired <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/08/atlanta-hawks-starting-lineup-locks/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bogdabo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">Bogdan Bogdanovic</a> is the front runner of the pack to claim one of the available starting jobs after signing a massive $72 million contract as a restricted free agent to join the Hawks.</p>
<p>The 6’6” guard/forward from Serbia made a name for himself as a knockdown shooter in Sacramento but is ready to prove he can consistently do more than simply shoot three-pointers. He can be the third option on offense and play the role of a secondary playmaker to Young.</p>
<p>The Hawks also signed a prolific scorer and one of the most lethal shooters in the league in <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/08/atlanta-hawks-starting-lineup-locks/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gallida01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">Danilo Gallinari</a> in free agency. Many called John Collins’ future with the team into question after the Gallinari acquisition, but general manager Travis Schlenk quelled any of those concerns when he confirmed that Gallo was brought in to back up Collins. Still, Schlenk said he expects the Hawks to use lineups that feature both of them. As of now, expect Gallinari to be the first guy off the bench but, with the pre-season set to begin in a few days, Gallinari can still make a case to be in the starting lineup.</p>
<p>One of the better shooters on this roster, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/08/atlanta-hawks-starting-lineup-locks/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/huertke01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">Kevin Huerter</a>, was one of three Hawks players to shoot at least 36 percent from three last season. He started 107 of the 131 games he’s appeared in through his first two seasons in the NBA and has knocked down 38.3 percent of his 687 3-point attempts during that span. If the knee issues are behind him, Huerter should be a strong candidate to earn a starting job.</p>
<p>2019 lottery picks, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/08/atlanta-hawks-starting-lineup-locks/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/huntede01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">De’Andre Hunter</a> and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/08/atlanta-hawks-starting-lineup-locks/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/reddica01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">Cam Reddish</a> will have to use training camp and the preseason to prove themselves worthy of a starting gig. Relegated to a bench role unless injuries called for a temporary promotion, Reddish only started 34 games last season while Hunter (drafted six slots ahead of Reddish) started 62.</p>
<p>Despite coming off the bench and playing far fewer minutes than Hunter on a nightly basis, the two rookies posted similar stat lines, and Reddish rated as a better defender in year one. According to Synergy, Hunter ranked in the 33rd percentile on defense, and Reddish landed in the 63rd percentile last season.</p>
<p>“Killa Cam” is the superior athlete of the two and arguably has the highest ceiling of all the players fighting for a starting gig with the Hawks. If he can improve his efficiency on offense and continue his development on defense, Reddish should be a favorite to win one of the starting wing positions.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/08/atlanta-hawks-starting-lineup-locks/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Break-in candidates </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-417520" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/08/atlanta-hawks-starting-lineup-locks/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2237,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1196723491.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2237" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1196723491.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1196723491-768x537.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px" /><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Atlanta Hawks (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Potential break-ins for the starting lineup: Kris Dunn, Rajon Rondo, Tony Snell, Onyeka Okongwu</h2>
<p>Suppose the Hawks decide to put an even more considerable emphasis on improving the team’s defense than they already have. In that case, we could see head coach Lloyd Pierce take an unconventional route and use a starting lineup featuring two point guards.</p>
<p>Pierce can start <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/08/atlanta-hawks-starting-lineup-locks/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/dunnkr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">Kris Dunn</a> alongside Young in the backcourt if he wants to. According to NBA.com, Dunn’s 103.6 defensive rating ranked higher than anyone who averaged at least 20 minutes per game with the Hawks last season. His presence in the lineup would dramatically improve the defense and allow the Hawks to hide Young (116.1 defensive rating) on that side of the ball.</p>
<p>Pierce can also deploy <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/08/atlanta-hawks-starting-lineup-locks/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rondora01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">Rajon Rondo</a> in a two-point guard lineup. While Rondo isn’t the defender and playmaker he once was, he posted a 107.3 defensive rating last season that was also better than everyone who averaged 20-plus minutes per game for the Hawks last season. His basketball I.Q. is second to none (not even LeBron James), and he has dramatically improved his perimeter shooting as well (39.3 percent on catch-and-shoot threes last season).</p>
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<p>One of the best floor generals of this generation, he can also act as an extension of the coach, helping guys get into the proper position and doing the little things to help this team win that don’t show up in the box score.</p>
<p>The Atlanta Hawks acquired <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/08/atlanta-hawks-starting-lineup-locks/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/snellto01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">Tony Snell</a> via trade from the Detroit Pistons. Snell is a longshot at making the starting lineup, but his elite shooting from downtown makes him a viable option. Last season Snell shot 37.7 percent from 3-point land in catch-and-shoot situations and 40.7 percent overall from behind the arc.</p>
<p>Though the starting lineup already boasts two-players that are 6’9” or taller, 2020 sixth overall pick Onyeka Okongwu could also possibly force his way into the starting lineup. In college, Okongwu showed off his versatility on offense but even more so on defense, where he makes his bread and butter.</p>
<p>Okongwu can slot in at the four and move Collins over to the three without hurting the floor spacing. He could also impress the coaching staff enough during the preseason that he replaces Capela in the starting lineup. Another longshot but not outside of the realm of possibility.</p>
<p>There’s a lot to figure out between now and December 23rd when the Atlanta Hawks begin their season in a road matchup against the Chicago Bulls. It’s not often a team finds itself with the dilemma of having “too many” options, but this is the problem for the Hawks, and it’s a good problem to have for a team with playoff aspirations.</p>
<p>With a condensed schedule and possible injuries, it will be all hands on deck, and it’s almost certain the starting lineup will change as time goes on and Pierce figures out who works best together.</p>
<h2>Predicting the starting lineup:</h2>
<h2>PG: Trae Young</h2>
<h2>SG: Bogdan Bogdanovic</h2>
<h2>SF: Cam Reddish</h2>
<h2>PF: John Collins</h2>
<h2>C: Clint Capela</h2>
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