Atlanta Hawks: 2016-17 Season Outlook, Predictions

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Oct 10, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) looks to pass the ball as Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Jones (1) defends in the second quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Predictions

If everything goes according to plan, the Hawks will be a playoff team again in 2016-17. Unfortunately that’s a lot to ask for, which is why Atlanta may straddle the line between playoff hopefuls and full-scale rebuilders until it’s too late to achieve either one.

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Howard has missed at least 11 games in each of the last three seasons, and that trend is unlikely to improve now that he’s entering his age-31 season and has a history of back problems. Schroder is the point guard of the future for this franchise, but it’s hard to see him being ready to lead as early as this season.

Millsap is one of the game’s best two-way players, but he’s able to opt out of the final year of his deal after the upcoming season. Trading him — and Korver, who is already in the final year of his contract — could be the right move if the losses start piling on before the trade deadline and Atlanta fears losing them both in free agency for nothing.

Even if the Hawks don’t move one (or both) of Korver and Millsap, their lack of a reliable bench, Schroder’s growing pains and Howard’s health will probably be enough to limit them to 41 wins, the final playoff berth in the East and a quick, four-game playoff exit in the first round at the hands of — you guessed it — the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Next: NBA Predictions: 2016-17 Win Total Projections For All 30 Teams

Atlanta could very well shock the world and prove they’re still basically the same, semi-competitive team as last year, but downgrading at two starting positions makes that feel like a unreachable goal. More than likely, this team is heading for regression and, eventually, the full-scale rebuild Atlanta needs.

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