NBA Power Rankings: 7 teams enter season as legitimate title threats

Last season: 29-53; projected 2019-20: 32-50

The Atlanta Hawks have quickly and quietly assembled a solid young core to build around, with big man John Collins coming on board in 2017, Trae Young and Kevin Huerter joining the party last year and this year’s prize being De’Andre Hunter.

Throw in the potential of rookie Cam Reddish and the Hawks could very well be onto something … just not quite yet. This season, Atlanta will put up a lot of points, but they will likely give up even more because, outside of Hunter, there’s not even an average defender in the projected starting five.

That will have to be the next step in their development. Young has all the tools to be an elite offensive player, Huerter still needs to get stronger and Collins has to engage more at the defensive end. They will be entertaining as hell, though.

The Hawks were 1-4 this preseason and will be without Allen Crabbe (knee) to open the season, while Young (back), Huerter (knee) and Collins (illness) are day-to-day heading into the opening week.

Last season: 22-60; projected 2019-20: 35-47

The Chicago Bulls are moving in the right direction and, barring catastrophic injuries, will be one of those lottery teams that no contender really wants to play. Zach LaVine and Lauri Markkanen will provide the scoring, young Wendell Carter Jr. comes back after missing much of his rookie season with a thumb injury and new point guard Tomas Satoransky will run the show.

Throw in the potential of young guard Coby White and the experience of Thaddeus Young and the second unit could be interesting as well.

If coach Jim Boylen lets the kids play with pace, Chicago could be a handful to defend, even as they will have to make some improvements on the other side of the ball themselves. But if the Bulls are going to walk it up and slug it out in the half court, it could be a dreary season.

Chicago went 2-3 in the preseason, finishing with back-to-back wins. While Shaquille Harrison (hamstring) and Carter (thumb) are day-to-day entering the season, Chandler Hutchison could be on the shelf awhile with his hamstring problem.

Last season: 39-43; projected 2019-20: 37-45

The Sacramento Kings surprised most observers last season with a 39-win campaign, representing their best record since the club’s last playoff appearance in 2005-06. Their offseason was … interesting … but with guards De’Aaron Fox and Bogdan Bogdanovic, there’s always a chance.

The Kings added three veteran free agents to the mix in Trevor Ariza, Dewayne Dedmon and Cory Joseph, and have an odd group of players that are vastly disconnected in terms of age. On one side you have the kids — Fox, Marvin Bagley III and Harry Giles III — and on the other the older guys — Dedmon, Ariza, Joseph and Nemanja Bjelica.

In between you find Bogdanovic, Buddy Hield and Harrison Barnes. Team president Vlade Divac has a plan, though. We’re almost certain of it.

Sacramento won its last three preseason games to finish 3-2 (2-2 against NBA competition). Giles is not expected to be available to start the season with a left knee injury, while Ariza (surgery to remove lipoma from back), Fox (back) and Josepg (right calf) are day-to-day.