Atlanta Hawks: Ranking their projected starting five after free agency
By Dalton Sell
Atlanta Hawks starter No. 4: Bogdan Bogdanovic
The Atlanta Hawks gifted Trae Young with a new running mate in the backcourt when they inked Bogdan Bogdanovic to a 4-year deal worth $72 million in free agency.
Bogdanovic has never gotten the opportunity to be a full-time starter, having started in just 98 of his career 209 NBA games with the Sacramento Kings, and now, the 28-year-old will likely see a more prominent role with the Hawks. The Serbian international is a 3-point specialist, which is something that the Hawks desperately needed this offseason.
Atlanta ranked dead last in 3-point percentage last season, coming in at a vile 33.3 percent. Bogdanovic is a 37.4 percent shooter from behind the arc on 5.5 attempts per game for his career, and that floor spacing prowess will undoubtedly help clean up the team’s subpar shooting from long-range.
Starter No. 3: Clint Capela
The Atlanta Hawks’ acquisition of Clint Capela goes back to the trade deadline in February of this year, in what feels like a lifetime ago.
Capela has not yet suited up for the Hawks, as he battled injuries extensively last season. Now, the lengthy hiatus will likely have the 26-year-old back to full strength, and the Hawks will need him to be the best version of himself. Defensively, Capela will provide a much-needed boost for Atlanta as they finished the season having allowed 53.6 points in the paint per game this season, tied for last in the league with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Standing at 6’10”, Capela gives the Hawks a towering presence in the paint to try and patch up their lackluster defense down low while also giving Trae Young a reliable lob threat offensively. Clint Capela is a walking double-double and will be one of the most important players for the Atlanta Hawks next season on both ends of the floor.