Atlanta Hawks roll out new, young faces in preseason opener
The Atlanta Hawks added even more new, young faces to their already young core. Can we learn anything from the team’s first preseason action?
There are 15 new faces on the roster for the Atlanta Hawks as they embark on the 2019-20 NBA season. A few will join Atlanta’s newly relocated G League affiliate in College Park and a few may not make either roster, but many got a chance to show off against the New Orleans Pelicans Monday in the team’s first preseason game this year.
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Zion Williamson was probably the biggest attraction for this matchup, but fellow first-rounders De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish made a little noise as well.
Hunter got a look as the starting small forward for the team, posting 10 points in 25 minutes. Reddish hit 11 points himself in 15 minutes of play as well.
Damian Jones, acquired from the Golden State Warriors for Omari Spellman, started at center over Alex Len while DeAndre’ Bembry slid into the 2-guard spot vacated by the Kent Bazemore trade and led the team in scoring with 16 points.
Power forward and point guard are about the only positions locked in for the starting lineup right now with John Collins and Trae Young respectively, so we could see a lot of different combinations around them during the preseason as coach Lloyd Pierce tries to find the best fit for all his young players and Vince Carter.
The Hawks couldn’t stop Williamson and Jrue Holiday as the Pelicans won easily 133-109. Despite the loss, there were a few things the team can reflect on positively from their first preseason game.