Atlanta Hawks: 2017-18 NBA season preview
After qualifying for the playoffs in 10 consecutive seasons, the Atlanta Hawks spent the summer rebuilding its entire organization and face limited expectations for the 2017-18 season.
The revamping of the Atlanta Hawks franchise extends far beyond the facelift Philips Arena has undergone this summer.
The $192 million renovations to their home court won’t make their debut until the sixth game of the season, the longest any team will have to wait to play in their first come contest of the 2017-18 season.
Only the Hawks team stepping onto the court will be drastically different than the one eliminated by Washington in the opening round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs.
Days prior to the 2017 NBA Draft, Wes Wilcox stepped down as general manager to accept a new role within the organization and Mike Budenholzer vacated his position as president of basketball operations to focus solely on his head coaching duties.
Travis Schlenk, Warriors assistant general manager, left his position with the team before defeating Cleveland in the NBA Finals to take over as general manager in Atlanta.
More from Atlanta Hawks
- 5 NBA players everyone should be keeping a close eye on in 2023-24
- NBA Trades: This Hawks-Mavericks deal is a winner for both teams
- NBA Trades: Atlanta forms a big three with this win-now deal with Toronto
- Grading the John Collins trade for the Atlanta Hawks and Utah Jazz
- NBA Rumors: Atlanta is pushing to add a third star in a major trade
Schlenk began his roster renovations by trading away Dwight Howard, letting Paul Millsap strike a deal in free agency with Denver without even making him an offer and declined to match an offer from New York for restricted free agent guard Tim Hardaway Jr.
Eight new players were brought onto the team over the summer, but each were brought in without a long-term commitment, ensuring the Hawks will have plenty of financial flexibility for years to come.
The rebuilding efforts in Atlanta have just begun and the team will likely once again undergo drastic changes next summer.
The Hawks could potentially select three times in the opening round of the 2018 NBA Draft, as they possess the rights to their own selection, along with Houston’s (top-three protected) and Minnesota’s (lottery protected).
Only six teams have lower odds in Las Vegas to win the 2018 NBA championship than Atlanta, but with Schlenk in command, the team is hoping to become a true contender very quickly.
2016-17 Vitals
43-39, 2nd in the Southeast Division, 5th in the Eastern Conference
103.2 PPG (22nd)/104 OPP PPG (10th)
104.9 Offensvie Rating (27th)/105.7 Defensive Rating (4th)
Team Leaders
Scoring: Paul Millsap, 18.1 PPG
Rebounding: Dwight Howard, 12.7 RPG
Assists: Dennis Schroder, 6.3 APG
Steals: Thabo Sefolosha, 1.5 SPG
Blocks: Dwight Howard, 1.2 BPG
Honors
NBA All-Star: Paul Millsap