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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 Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
Atlanta Hawks (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) /

Fringe options for the starting lineup: Kevin Huerter, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Cam Reddish, DeAndre Hunter, Danilo Gallinari

While point guard and the frontcourt positions are locked in already, the two final slots in the starting lineup remain an open competition. With so much size, shooting, and versatility on the wings, there are several directions the Hawks can go.

The newly acquired Bogdan Bogdanovic is the front runner of the pack to claim one of the available starting jobs after signing a massive $72 million contract as a restricted free agent to join the Hawks.

The 6’6” guard/forward from Serbia made a name for himself as a knockdown shooter in Sacramento but is ready to prove he can consistently do more than simply shoot three-pointers. He can be the third option on offense and play the role of a secondary playmaker to Young.

The Hawks also signed a prolific scorer and one of the most lethal shooters in the league in Danilo Gallinari in free agency. Many called John Collins’ future with the team into question after the Gallinari acquisition, but general manager Travis Schlenk quelled any of those concerns when he confirmed that Gallo was brought in to back up Collins. Still, Schlenk said he expects the Hawks to use lineups that feature both of them. As of now, expect Gallinari to be the first guy off the bench but, with the pre-season set to begin in a few days, Gallinari can still make a case to be in the starting lineup.

One of the better shooters on this roster, Kevin Huerter, was one of three Hawks players to shoot at least 36 percent from three last season. He started 107 of the 131 games he’s appeared in through his first two seasons in the NBA and has knocked down 38.3 percent of his 687 3-point attempts during that span. If the knee issues are behind him, Huerter should be a strong candidate to earn a starting job.

2019 lottery picks, De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish will have to use training camp and the preseason to prove themselves worthy of a starting gig. Relegated to a bench role unless injuries called for a temporary promotion, Reddish only started 34 games last season while Hunter (drafted six slots ahead of Reddish) started 62.

Despite coming off the bench and playing far fewer minutes than Hunter on a nightly basis, the two rookies posted similar stat lines, and Reddish rated as a better defender in year one. According to Synergy, Hunter ranked in the 33rd percentile on defense, and Reddish landed in the 63rd percentile last season.

“Killa Cam” is the superior athlete of the two and arguably has the highest ceiling of all the players fighting for a starting gig with the Hawks. If he can improve his efficiency on offense and continue his development on defense, Reddish should be a favorite to win one of the starting wing positions.

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