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Atlanta Hawks: Best-Case Scenarios For 2016-17

By Colby Giacubeno

Nov 7, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) and guard Kyle Korver (26) defend Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) in the first quarter of their game at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) and guard Kyle Korver (26) defend Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) in the first quarter of their game at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 9, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) and Atlanta Hawks forward Tiago Splitter (11) box out New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) during the third quarter at Veterans Memorial Arena. The Atlanta Hawks won 103-93. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) and Atlanta Hawks forward Tiago Splitter (11) box out New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) during the third quarter at Veterans Memorial Arena. The Atlanta Hawks won 103-93. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /

Bench Lives Up to Expectations

Over the years, it has been proven that depth is extremely important in forming a title contender. This season, the Hawks will have one of the deepest rotations because of the quality of their reserves.

Tim Hardaway Jr. will finally deem himself comfortable within the system and be the sixth-man that the Hawks initially hoped for when trading for him last summer.

With Korver set to turn 36 in March, Hardaway will be depended to play much more than his 16.9 minutes per game last season.

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Jarrett Jack will be the perfect complement off the bench behind Schroder to come in and provide a veteran presence at point guard. Before tearing his ACL last season with the Nets, he was averaging 12.8 points, 7.4 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game.

He still has a ton in the tank to impact a game. Even if Schroder is struggling early on, Budenholzer can insert Jack right away to get the train back on the tracks in a way that wasn’t available to them last season.

The rookies, Taurean Prince and DeAndre Bembry, are NBA-ready. Prince especially can play big minutes off the bench at either shooting guard, small forward or power forward in small-ball lineups.

He can turn into the 3-and-D player and take on the DeMarre Carroll role, except doing so off the bench. Bembry will be featured at shooting guard and though he lacks elite athleticism, his high basketball IQ should be on full display under Budenholzer.

Kris Humphries and Tiago Splitter will be perfect frontcourt mates to hold down the fort while Howard and Millsap catch breathers throughout the span of the game.

Humphries can come in and build on his improvement of becoming a stretch-4 while having an impact on the glass and Splitter will stay healthy and be a vital role player as he was during his days with the San Antonio Spurs.

Budenholzer knows exactly what he is going to get with Thabo Sefolosha. A consistent, hard-working player who understands whatever role he needs to fill.

Most importantly, he needs to continue to be the lock-down defender that Budenholzer can use against players such as LeBron James, Paul George, and Carmelo Anthony. Not only does he have the size, but he also has the experience in guarding those players and having success.

If the Hawks want to take the next step, these things need to fall into place.

Next: Where Will They End Up?

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