What does the starting lineup look like in the upcoming season for the new-look Atlanta Hawks after an eventful offseason?
The Atlanta Hawks entered the offseason with the sixth overall pick in the NBA Draft and more salary-cap space than any other team. General manager and president of basketball operations Travis Schlenk rapidly yet methodically went to work, rebuilding this roster the way he envisioned it.
Schlenk spent the offseason maximizing his assets and acquiring veterans to help develop his young core and make the valiant playoff push the Hawks have been talking about since their season ended back in March.
When it was all said and done, and the dust finally settled, only eight players remained from last year’s team. Four of whom were rookies last year, and one (Clint Capela) never suited up for the team last season due to injury.
The Atlanta Hawks deployed 24 different starting lineups in just 67 last season. Partially due to injury, and trades also played a factor in all the inconsistencies, but it all boils down to the coaching staff and team trying to figure things out on the fly. With all the question marks and unproven talent on the roster last year, it was no surprise that we saw so many different lineups last season.
Though much improved on paper, the Hawks find themselves in a similar situation as they gear up for the start of the 2020-2021 season. The Atlanta Hawks brought in NINE new players via the draft and free agency (including a trade during free agency). They will use training camp and the preseason to determine who will fill out the starting lineup and play a complementary role off the bench.
This raises the question; who starts for the Atlanta Hawks as they vie for a playoff berth for the first time since the 2016-2017 season.