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Atlanta Hawks starting lineup: Locks, fringe, and potential break-ins

By Larry Hammonds

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 09: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after missing a basket as time expired in the first overtime against the New York Knicks at State Farm Arena on February 09, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 09: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after missing a basket as time expired in the first overtime against the New York Knicks at State Farm Arena on February 09, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Hawks (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Atlanta Hawks (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Locks for the starting lineup: Trae Young, John Collins, Clint Capela

After averaging 29.6 points and 9.3 assists per game last season, Trae Young proved he is ready to run an NBA team. As the number one scoring option and the primary playmaker, there’s no question this is Young’s team, and the Atlanta Hawks will go as far as Young’s slender shoulders can carry them.

He desperately needs to improve his defense, but the Hawks hope some of the moves they made this offseason can help hide him on that end. He also needs to cut down on the turnovers (4.8 per game last season), which seems realistic with the weapons the team added in free agency, and he’s expected to play off-ball a lot more than in the past.

The versatile John Collins has proven to be a viable second option on offense and a prolific rebounder. Collins averaged 21.6 points and 10.1 rebounds per game last season while posting impressive .583/.401/.800 shooting splits. Expect the 6’9” forward to continue to improve on that side of the ball and be an integral part of the offense.

Clint Capela will make his first appearance in a Hawks uniform after being acquired at the trade deadline last season while nursing an injury. Atlanta brought in Capela to fill the role of defensive anchor and rim running big similar to when he was in Houston.

The Hawks love to run double drag sets (two consecutive ball-screens in transition or semi-transition) and should expect that to continue with Collins and a healthy Capela in the fold. He claims to now be fully healthy, and despite the Hawks drafting a versatile big in Onyeka Okongwu, the starting center job is Capela’s to lose.

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