Atlanta Hawks: 2016-17 Season Outlook, Predictions

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Oct 13, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) is defended by Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (34) in the first quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Two seasons ago, the Atlanta Hawks were a 60-win team that earned the top seed in the Eastern Conference and made it all the way to the conference finals. Last season, they were a 48-win team that earned home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

In both seasons, a quick four-game sweep at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers ended their playoff hopes.

Heading into the 2016-17 campaign, the Hawks are missing three key starters from that 60-win team. DeMarre Carroll, whose departure contributed to last season’s regression, is heading into his second year with the Raptors. Jeff Teague was traded to the Indiana Pacers in a three-team deal, and Al Horford joined the Boston Celtics in free agency.

It’s not all bad news for Atlanta, however. The Teague trade was meant to pave the way to a starting role for Dennis Schroder, the Hawks picked up hometown hero Dwight Howard as a replacement/insurance for Horford at center, and Kent Bazemore was retained on a four-year, $70 million deal.

Heading into the new season, however, there are plenty of questions surrounding Mike Budenholzer’s team. The Hawks will have to change their schemes on both ends of the floor based on their new (and lost) personnel, and the rest of the East got better over the summer.

Here’s a look at what to expect from the Atlanta Hawks heading into the 2016-17 NBA season, complete with a roster breakdown, key storylines, best- and worst-case scenarios, and final predictions.

2015-16 Vitals

48-34, 2nd in Southeast Division, 4th in Eastern Conference
102.8 PPG (12th)/99.2 OPP PPG (6th)
105.1 Offensive Rating (22nd)/101.4 Defensive Rating (2nd)

Team Leaders
Scoring: Paul Millsap, 17.1 PPG
Rebounding: Paul Millsap, 9.0 RPG
Assists: Jeff Teague, 5.9 APG
Steals: Paul Millsap, 1.8 SPG
Blocks: Paul Millsap, 1.7 BPG

Honors
NBA All-Defensive Second Team: Paul Millsap

Next: Roster

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Atlanta Hawks: 2016-17 Season Outlook

By Gerald Bourguet | Oct 14, 2016

After moving from Jeff Teague and Al Horford to Dennis Schroder and Dwight Howard, are the Atlanta Hawks still a playoff team? Here’s their 2016-17 season outlook.

2015-16 Vitals