Since reaching the Eastern Conference Finals a few years ago, the Hawks have been nothing more than a play-in team, even if the talent on the roster would suggest otherwise.
There’s something different in the air in Atlanta entering the 2023-24 campaign, though. Much of that has to do with Quin Snyder, who takes over for Nate McMillan in his first full season at the helm.
Personnel-wise, the most noticeable difference between this team and last year’s extraordinarily mediocre one is the absence of John Collins. Atlanta did acquire Patty Mills, Wesley Matthews, and Kobe Bufkin this offseason, but none will have as big of an impact as Jalen Johnson or Saddiq Bey, who will assume a bulk of Collins’ minutes.
That’s not enough to turn the club around, but maybe Quin Snyder is the difference-maker. Through a handful of preseason contests, the Hawks offense looks completely foreign to what fans have become accustomed to under Lloyd Pierce and Nate McMillan.
What do we like? I love the talent and depth for this Hawks team. The idea of Quin Snyder coaching them pulls it all together. Trae Young has plenty of things to work on, but he’s still one of the most talented offensive players in the world. Dejounte Murray is a really good backcourt partner, and this team has plenty of pieces to put together a good defense under Snyder. The Hawks have the talent to be a top-six team in the East.
The Hawks absolutely have the talent to be a top-six team in the Eastern Conference. Outside of the Bucks and Celtics, there are no clubs that could coast through the regular season and still win the title.
The Heat, 76ers, Knicks, and Cavaliers are expected to compete for the final four seeds to avoid the Play-in tournament, but none are heads and shoulders better than the Hawks on paper. Whether that comes to fruition is another thing entirely, though.
What do we question? Their focus and buy-in with coaches doesn’t have a great track record. A roster with Clint Capela, Dejounte Murray, De’Andre Hunter and Onyeka Okongwu shouldn’t be a bottom-10 defense. This team should be more well-rounded, and it’s not because of leadership issues throughout the roster and organization. Can that be fixed this year?
The Hawks are going to have some figuring out to do with this new-look roster. Even though it’s just John Collins, the new system will take some time for everyone to find their role. The Hawks have the pieces and the coach; what they do with it is up to them.
One random prediction:Â Trae Young becomes the fourth player in NBA history to average 30 points and 10 assists per game.
Trae Young has flirted with the 30/10 mark his entire career. He averaged 29.6 points and 9.3 assists in his second season then came back in 2021-22 averaging 28.4 points and 9.7 assists. Nobody should be surprised if he joins Oscar Robinson, Tiny Archibald, and Russell Westbrook as the only players to average 30 points and 10 assists.
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Photographer: Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire
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