Atlanta Hawks: 2016-17 Season Outlook

Best-Case Scenario

Everything comes together for the new-look Hawks right from the start. Atlanta doesn’t lose any steam from last season with the switches at point guard and center, as Schroder immediately proves that the Teague trade was the right move for the franchise.

With Schroder enjoying a career year and a new spring in Dwight Howard’s step while playing for his hometown team, Budenholzer is able to adjust his defensive strategies and his offensive sets appropriately.

The Hawks win around 47 games to secure the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference again. They advance past the first round, but are promptly escorted out of the playoffs in the conference semifinals by a superior Cavaliers team once again.

Worst-Case Scenario

Howard, who has missed 11, 41 and 11 games over the last three seasons, once again has problems staying healthy in Atlanta. His back starts acting up, and even when he’s on the floor, his demand for low-post touches bogs down an offense that was once based on movement and smart passing.

Making the switch from Teague to Schroder looks like a premature decision, as the German floor general struggles with his starting role more than anyone anticipated. He turns the ball over too much, has problems converting when he drives the lane and fails to improve his perimeter touch.

The Hawks front office decides that the window has closed for this current group, putting Kyle Korver and Paul Millsap on the trade market to capitalize on their value while they can. Atlanta wins around 30-35 games, finishing somewhere in the middle of the draft lottery as they undergo a full-scale rebuild for the future.

Next: Predictions