I really like this squad for 2024-25

[Spud2nique]

41 minutes ago, JayBirdHawk said:

 

Hope, Hope, Hope.

 

 

....but who am I kidding. I'm here for it!

Indeed +1 this!

[Packfill]

1 hour ago, JayBirdHawk said:

Bogi is listed as our #2 option and comes it at a paltry #25 

 

 

Interesting list.  Some of those guys I would not identify as the #2 option, particularly if it is just a list of the #2 scoring options - which this seems to be because otherwise I don't someone like Wiggins on the list as the #2 guy for GS - Green would be the obvious #2 most important guy.  JJJ is an example - he would be the third scoring option in my view for the Grizz behind Ja and Bane; similarly BAM I could see scoring less per game than both Jimmy and Herro.  

[kg01]

45 minutes ago, Spud2nique said:

Indeed +1 this!

It's really not a lot to ask either. 

[Gray Mule]

I like our chances.  Hawks have too many good players to be as bad as the 35.5 victories we are projected to get.  

[JayBirdHawk]

Hawks sign Jordan Bowden

Cyro Asseo: The Atlanta Hawks and Jordan Bowden have agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal, league sources told @hoopshype. Bowden recently played for the CEBL’s Montreal Alliance, and averaged 17.4 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 3.1 APG. He played last year for the Maine Celtics and College Park Skyhawks.

 

– via Twitter

[JayBirdHawk]

2024-25 Atlanta Hawks Projected Starting Lineup

After a disappointing season, the Hawks eye redemption with a new roster and Trae Young at the helm.

The Atlanta Hawks enter the 2024-25 NBA season looking for a fresh start after a disappointing 36-46 finish last year. They placed 10th in the Eastern Conference and, for the second straight year, were knocked out in the play-in tournament, failing to secure a playoff berth. 

This underwhelming performance prompted the franchise to make significant changes, including trading All-Star guard Dejounte Murray after two seasons in Atlanta, as the partnership between Murray and Trae Young failed to produce the desired results.

Now, with Murray gone and a mix of young talent and experienced veterans in place, the Hawks are aiming for a much-needed improvement. Under head coach Quin Snyder, the team will look to climb back into playoff contention. Let’s take a look at their projected starting lineup and key reserves for the 2024-25 season.

---

Point Guard (PG)

Starter: Trae Young

Reserves: Dyson Daniels, Kobe Bufkin, Keaton Wallace

Trae Young remains the undisputed leader of the Atlanta Hawks. The All-Star point guard is coming off another stellar season, where he averaged 25.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game while shooting 43.6% from the field and 35.5% from beyond the arc. Known for his deep shooting range, elite playmaking, and ability to control the game’s tempo, Young is the engine that drives the Hawks' offense. 

With the departure of Dejounte Murray, the ball will be in Young's hands even more, allowing him to take on the lion's share of playmaking duties.

Young’s ability to orchestrate pick-and-rolls and create shots for both himself and his teammates is what makes him so dangerous. His chemistry with Clint Capela and Jalen Johnson will be critical in keeping Atlanta's offense running smoothly. In a conference packed with talented guards, Trae Young will need to continue his role as both a floor general and an elite scorer if the Hawks hope to remain competitive.

Behind him, Dyson Daniels joins the Hawks after being involved in the trade that sent Murray to another team. Daniels is a versatile young guard known for his defensive prowess and playmaking ability, which will complement Young’s offensive skill set. While still developing as a shooter, Daniels could provide valuable minutes off the bench as a primary defender against opposing point guards.

Kobe Bufkin, Atlanta's first-round pick in 2023, will also compete for minutes in the backcourt. Bufkin flashed potential as a scorer and defender in his rookie campaign, and the Hawks will likely look to him as a key contributor in the second unit.
Keaton Wallace rounds out the group, serving as a reserve option at point guard, likely to see limited minutes but could provide some spark with his athleticism when called upon.

 

Shooting Guard (SG)

Starter: Bogdan Bogdanovic

Reserves: Garrison Mathews, Vit Krejci, Seth Lundy

With the departure of Dejounte Murray, veteran sharpshooter Bogdan Bogdanovic steps into the starting shooting guard role. Bogdanovic had a productive 2023-24 season, averaging 16.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game while shooting 42.8% from the field and 37.4% from three-point range. A crafty scorer and reliable outside threat, Bogdanovic will be tasked with spacing the floor for Trae Young and capitalizing on open looks generated by his star point guard’s playmaking.

Bogdanovic’s experience and basketball IQ will be essential for the Hawks, especially with the influx of young talent. His ability to create his own shot and move without the ball will be pivotal in helping Atlanta’s offense maintain its flow. However, his durability remains a concern, as injuries have slowed him in the past. If he can stay healthy, Bogdanovic should thrive in a starting role.

Garrison Mathews and Vit Krejci will provide depth behind Bogdanovic. Mathews is known for his tenacious defense and ability to knock down three-pointers, while Krejci offers versatility and length on both ends of the court. Seth Lundy, the Hawks' 2024 second-round pick, brings athleticism and scoring potential as a young player developing under Bogdanovic’s mentorship.

 

Small Forward (SF)

Starter: Zaccharie Risacher

Reserves: De'Andre Hunter, David Roddy, Kevon Harris

All eyes will be on Zaccharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. At just 19 years old, Risacher is already drawing comparisons to some of the NBA’s elite two-way wings. Standing at 6'9" with a smooth shooting stroke and incredible defensive instincts, Risacher will be thrust into the starting lineup early in his career, though he may experience some growing pains as he adjusts to the pace and physicality of the NBA.

De'Andre Hunter will play a critical role as a key reserve behind Risacher. Hunter had his best season in 2023-24, averaging 15.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 45.9% from the field and 38.5% from three-point range. 

His ability to contribute on both ends of the floor makes him one of the Hawks' most important players, and his presence will ease the transition for Risacher.
David Roddy and Kevon Harris will compete for minutes off the bench, each bringing toughness and energy to the forward position. Roddy’s versatility and size make him a useful option in various lineups.

---

Power Forward (PF)

Starter: Jalen Johnson

Reserves: Larry Nance Jr., Mouhamed Gueye, Joey Hauser

After a breakout sophomore season, Jalen Johnson is ready to take the next step as Atlanta's starting power forward. Johnson averaged 16.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game last season while shooting 51.1% from the field and 35.5% from three-point range. 

His combination of size, athleticism, and ball-handling ability makes him a versatile forward capable of creating mismatches on offense and switching defensively. Johnson’s growth will be pivotal to the Hawks' success, especially as they look to solidify their frontcourt.

Larry Nance Jr., acquired in the offseason, will provide veteran leadership and versatility off the bench. Nance is known for his high basketball IQ, defensive impact, and ability to play multiple frontcourt positions. Mouhamed Gueye and Joey Hauser will add depth to the rotation, though they are still developing as young players.

---

Center (C)

Starter: Clint Capela

Reserves: Onyeka Okongwu, Cody Zeller, Dominick Barlow

Anchoring the defense once again is veteran center Clint Capela. The shot-blocking big man is coming off his seventh straight season averaging a double-double, with 11.5 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 57.1% from the field. Capela’s rim protection and rebounding will continue to be critical for the Hawks, particularly in their efforts to control the paint and defend against the East's elite big men.

Behind Capela, Onyeka Okongwu is one of the league’s most promising young centers. Known for his defensive instincts, Okongwu provides a significant boost off the bench and has the potential to take over the starting role in the future. Cody Zeller and Dominick Barlow offer additional depth at center, though they are likely to see limited minutes barring injuries.

Coming off a frustrating 36-46 season and another early exit in the play-in tournament, the Atlanta Hawks are looking to rebound in 2024-25. The trade of Dejounte Murray signals a shift toward a more Trae Young-centric offense, with an emphasis on developing young talent like Zaccharie Risacher and Jalen Johnson. 

While there’s plenty of potential on this roster, the team will need to gel quickly and find consistency if they hope to improve on last year’s disappointing finish.

2024-25 Atlanta Hawks Projected Starting Lineup - Fadeaway World

[JayBirdHawk]

The 2024-25 Atlanta Hawks are a better team than you think

To many people, this season is more of a rebuild for the Atlanta Hawks. After all, they traded away their second-best player, Dejounte Murray, to the New Orleans Pelicans, conceding that their decision to bring him on board was a misstep. 

But those individuals are making a grave mistake: prioritizing star counting over proper roster building. In reality, what looks like a less talented team is actually a more balanced and versatile unit. One that could sneak up on some teams in the Eastern Conference. 

Addition By Subtraction

Last season, Trae Young missed 23 games from late February to early April. In that stretch, the Hawks went 12-11 (43-win pace in an 82-game season), which is much better than they performed in their other 59 games (24-35, 34-win pace). During that time, I wrote about how this span was evidence, not that the Hawks were better off without Young, but rather that Murray and Young were not destined to be backcourt partners.

According to PBP Stats, Young and Murray posted a net rating of -5.71 in the 1,172 minutes they shared the court together in 2023-24. For reference, every other “star” duo in the league had a positive net rating in their minutes.

Another merit against their chemistry is that none of the Hawks’ top 5 lineups featured both of the guards on the floor at the same time. 

2023-24 Atlanta Hawks Top 5 Lineups*

Lineup	Non-Garbage Time Possessions	Point Differential per 100 Possessions (Percentile)
Young/Bogdanovic/Mathews/Bey/Okongwu	120	+18.2 (85th)
Murray/Bogdanovic/Bey/Hunter/Capela	149	+16.6 (82nd)
Young/Bogdanovic/Bey/Johnson/Okongwu	291	+14.5 (79th)
Murray/Bogdanovic/Krejci/Hunter/Capela	307	+12.5 (74th)
Murray/Bogdanovic/Bey/Hunter/Okongwu	170	+12.4 (73rd)

*Data Provided by Cleaning the Glass

Now, with Murray gone, the Hawks no longer have to worry about the suboptimal fit between the two. Plus, they ended up with the better player (Young’s offense is far superior, and Murray’s defense isn’t good enough anymore to make up the difference).

Lineups That Make Sense

In basketball, you can only put five people on the court at once. To win, you need that five-man group to have some blend of on-ball creation, spacing, rim pressure, perimeter defense, off-ball defense, and rim protection. At this point, Murray and Young really only provided on-ball creation. So, it was up to the other three players on the floor to fill those voids, and there are very few teams with three role players who can wear all those hats (hint: the Hawks weren’t one of them).

Now, the Hawks have an extra spot in their lineups, making it much more likely that they can check all the necessary boxes. And while they don’t have top-tier personnel, they do have the pieces to put together some pretty well-balanced lineups. Here’s one example of what they can do.

Hypothetical Lineup: Trae Young (PG)/Bogdan Bogdanovic (SG)/Dyson Daniels (SF)/Jalen Johnson (PF)/Clint Capela (C)

We already know that Young is very capable of carrying an offense and being a team’s primary decision-maker. Bogdan Bogdanovic offers secondary creation, spacing, and off-ball defense. Dyson Daniels gives you perimeter defense, off-ball defense, and secondary rim protection (and hopefully soon, some spacing). Jalen Johnson is just a flat-out monster, and if he develops properly, he gives you all six of those things to varying degrees. Then, lastly, Clint Capela gives you rim pressure (as a roll threat) and rim protection.

This is just one possible lineup permutation. Onyeka Okongwu is basically a younger version of Capela. So, he can come in there and fill the same role whenever they need him to. If the Hawks want to play a small ball center, they now have Larry Nance Jr., courtesy of the Murray Deal. If they want more shooting/spacing, Zaccharie Risacher, Garrison Matthews, or Vit Krejci can come in for Daniels. De’Andre Hunter is still a solid three-and-D wing/forward. We haven’t mentioned soon-to-be sophomore combo guard Kobe Bufkin. This team is sneaky deep.

An Abundance of Youth

Along with their depth and lineup balance/versatility, the Hawks have a lot of young players. And as a general rule, the more young players you have, the better the chances are that one (or more) of them takes a big step forward.

Of the 12 players we mentioned above, six of them are under 25 years old.* That doesn’t include Young, who just recently (September 19) celebrated his 26th birthday.

[*Sidebar #1: We aren’t even taking into account Nikola Djurisic [20], the Hawks 2024 second round pick who will be missing the first part of the season with a foot injury.]

Johnson is the most likely candidate to take a great ascension up the player hierarchy next season. Last season, he finished in the 98th percentile in DELTA (a metric from Opta Analyst that tracks a player’s improvement through the course of the season). And given his player profile (he’s a great athlete with size and ball skills), there is hope that he still has a lot more room to grow.

Daniels (21) fell out of the playoff rotation for the Pelicans down the stretch because of his outside shooting (31.1% 3-point shooter). But he’s a phenomenal defender (88th percentile in Defensive Estimated Plus-Minus). So, if he can figure out that jumper (there’s still a chance, given his age), he could develop into one of the better role players in the league.

 

Bufkin (21) didn’t play much last year (196 total minutes), but he flashed some serious promise at Michigan, particularly as an on-ball creator. In his sophomore season, Bufkin finished in the 72nd percentile in pick and roll ball handler efficiency and the 84th percentile in isolation (per Synergy Sports). He and Bogdanovic can run the offense when Young is on the bench. And thanks to his positional size (6’8 wingspan), the Hawks should be able to survive on defense when he shares the court with Young.

Risacher (19), the Hawks prized first overall pick, doesn’t have the highest upside (many people compare him to players like Michael Porter Jr.). But he is still a big dude (6.9’5 wingspan) who can shoot (Risacher hit 40.7% of his 209 threes in international play), which will take you pretty far in the NBA.

As we said, Okongwu (24) is a younger Capela, meaning the Hawks could theoretically move Capela to add assets elsewhere. And Krejci (also 24) is a solid three-and-D wing/forward on a good contract (4 years, 10.2 million, per Spotrac).

The Bottom Line

Listen, I’m not saying the Hawks are some darkhorse title contender. They may have lineup balance now, but you need lineup balance and talent to win big in this league. The Hawks are still one or two players away from meeting the necessary threshold in that area.*

[*Sidebar #2: In today’s game, having great lineup balance is better than just raw talent.]

But this is still the Eastern Conference we are talking about. The Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons, and Brooklyn Nets won’t be doing anything. And most likely, neither will the Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, or Charlotte Hornets. By that math, that means the Hawks are already a top 9 team in the East. That’s already better than they did last year (they were tenth).

But what happens if a couple of the teams in front of them suffer injuries or underperform? Could the Hawks sneak into a top 6 spot?

I don’t think that outcome is out of the realm of possibility, and that alone makes the 2024-25 Hawks better than anyone is giving them credit for.

The 2024-25 Atlanta Hawks are a better team than you think (sportscasting.com)

 

[JayBirdHawk]

The NBA Clarity Index

Some teams are entering the 2024-25 NBA season with an unmistakable direction. Others … not so much. We sorted every franchise into tiers based on a simple question: How clear is its plan?

The Fun-House Mirror Tier

Confusing, freaky, and occasionally entertaining.

Atlanta Hawks

Charlotte Hornets

Chicago Bulls

Detroit Pistons

Portland Trail Blazers

Toronto Raptors

Utah Jazz

At last, we come to the most befuddling tier of all—the teams that seem to have no idea whatsoever where they’re headed.

The Pistons, who haven’t won a playoff series since before Obama’s first term, just replaced their general manager and their head coach yet again and have yet to develop a franchise star, despite annual trips to the draft lottery. Their offseason moves—signing veteran Tobias Harris to a two-year, $52 million deal and swapping the young and affordable Quentin Grimes for the older and overpaid Tim Hardaway Jr.—just muddied the picture further.

The Bulls have been mired in mediocrity ever since they banked everything on the high-priced/low-ceiling core of DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic. They’ve belatedly begun to tear it down but seem to be stuck with LaVine and his massive contract, and they still don’t have a definable goal beyond chasing a play-in spot.

The Hornets also have a new front office and head coach, and some interesting young talent, but are no closer to respectability.

The Hawks had the clarity to finally end the failed Trae Young–Dejounte Murray experiment (sending Murray to New Orleans), but they still seem directionless. If anything, they’re moving backward.

The Trail Blazers are just a year removed from the franchise-shaking decision to trade Damian Lillard and perhaps deserve some grace. But this is a team that waited too long to break up the Lillard–CJ McCollum backcourt, arguably waited too long to trade Lillard, and squandered chances to flip lottery picks for veteran help when Lillard was still there. Signing Jerami Grant to a massive contract just before trading Lillard doesn’t indicate a team with clear goals. Portland has collected some promising young talent—Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, Anfernee Simons—but with a lot of overlapping skills and no obvious no. 1.

The Raptors waited too long to shed their old core (Siakam, O.G. Anunoby, Fred VanVleet) and are still trying to construct a new one around Scottie Barnes. Is this the right group? Or will we see another two years of roster churn?

And the Jazz? They might be the most confusing of all—a team that jettisoned its All-Stars two years ago, isn’t good enough to make the playoffs, and isn’t bad enough to nab a high draft pick. They could have dealt Lauri Markkanen a dozen times by now, but they instead gave him an extension that makes him trade ineligible until next summer. They’re neither trying to win nor trying to lose—the epitome of a franchise with an identity crisis.

The NBA Clarity Index - The Ringer

[JayBirdHawk]

Win projections for all 30 NBA teams ahead of the 2024-25 season

 

Win projections for all 30 NBA teams ahead of the 2024-25 season - ESPN

[Gray Mule]

G League teams of the Lakers and Hawks have announced a trade!

[AHF]

12 hours ago, JayBirdHawk said:

The 2024-25 Atlanta Hawks are a better team than you think

To many people, this season is more of a rebuild for the Atlanta Hawks. After all, they traded away their second-best player, Dejounte Murray, to the New Orleans Pelicans, conceding that their decision to bring him on board was a misstep. 

But those individuals are making a grave mistake: prioritizing star counting over proper roster building. In reality, what looks like a less talented team is actually a more balanced and versatile unit. One that could sneak up on some teams in the Eastern Conference. 

Addition By Subtraction

Last season, Trae Young missed 23 games from late February to early April. In that stretch, the Hawks went 12-11 (43-win pace in an 82-game season), which is much better than they performed in their other 59 games (24-35, 34-win pace). During that time, I wrote about how this span was evidence, not that the Hawks were better off without Young, but rather that Murray and Young were not destined to be backcourt partners.

According to PBP Stats, Young and Murray posted a net rating of -5.71 in the 1,172 minutes they shared the court together in 2023-24. For reference, every other “star” duo in the league had a positive net rating in their minutes.

Another merit against their chemistry is that none of the Hawks’ top 5 lineups featured both of the guards on the floor at the same time. 

2023-24 Atlanta Hawks Top 5 Lineups*

Lineup	Non-Garbage Time Possessions	Point Differential per 100 Possessions (Percentile)
Young/Bogdanovic/Mathews/Bey/Okongwu	120	+18.2 (85th)
Murray/Bogdanovic/Bey/Hunter/Capela	149	+16.6 (82nd)
Young/Bogdanovic/Bey/Johnson/Okongwu	291	+14.5 (79th)
Murray/Bogdanovic/Krejci/Hunter/Capela	307	+12.5 (74th)
Murray/Bogdanovic/Bey/Hunter/Okongwu	170	+12.4 (73rd)

*Data Provided by Cleaning the Glass

Now, with Murray gone, the Hawks no longer have to worry about the suboptimal fit between the two. Plus, they ended up with the better player (Young’s offense is far superior, and Murray’s defense isn’t good enough anymore to make up the difference).

Lineups That Make Sense

In basketball, you can only put five people on the court at once. To win, you need that five-man group to have some blend of on-ball creation, spacing, rim pressure, perimeter defense, off-ball defense, and rim protection. At this point, Murray and Young really only provided on-ball creation. So, it was up to the other three players on the floor to fill those voids, and there are very few teams with three role players who can wear all those hats (hint: the Hawks weren’t one of them).

Now, the Hawks have an extra spot in their lineups, making it much more likely that they can check all the necessary boxes. And while they don’t have top-tier personnel, they do have the pieces to put together some pretty well-balanced lineups. Here’s one example of what they can do.

Hypothetical Lineup: Trae Young (PG)/Bogdan Bogdanovic (SG)/Dyson Daniels (SF)/Jalen Johnson (PF)/Clint Capela (C)

We already know that Young is very capable of carrying an offense and being a team’s primary decision-maker. Bogdan Bogdanovic offers secondary creation, spacing, and off-ball defense. Dyson Daniels gives you perimeter defense, off-ball defense, and secondary rim protection (and hopefully soon, some spacing). Jalen Johnson is just a flat-out monster, and if he develops properly, he gives you all six of those things to varying degrees. Then, lastly, Clint Capela gives you rim pressure (as a roll threat) and rim protection.

This is just one possible lineup permutation. Onyeka Okongwu is basically a younger version of Capela. So, he can come in there and fill the same role whenever they need him to. If the Hawks want to play a small ball center, they now have Larry Nance Jr., courtesy of the Murray Deal. If they want more shooting/spacing, Zaccharie Risacher, Garrison Matthews, or Vit Krejci can come in for Daniels. De’Andre Hunter is still a solid three-and-D wing/forward. We haven’t mentioned soon-to-be sophomore combo guard Kobe Bufkin. This team is sneaky deep.

An Abundance of Youth

Along with their depth and lineup balance/versatility, the Hawks have a lot of young players. And as a general rule, the more young players you have, the better the chances are that one (or more) of them takes a big step forward.

Of the 12 players we mentioned above, six of them are under 25 years old.* That doesn’t include Young, who just recently (September 19) celebrated his 26th birthday.

[*Sidebar #1: We aren’t even taking into account Nikola Djurisic [20], the Hawks 2024 second round pick who will be missing the first part of the season with a foot injury.]

Johnson is the most likely candidate to take a great ascension up the player hierarchy next season. Last season, he finished in the 98th percentile in DELTA (a metric from Opta Analyst that tracks a player’s improvement through the course of the season). And given his player profile (he’s a great athlete with size and ball skills), there is hope that he still has a lot more room to grow.

Daniels (21) fell out of the playoff rotation for the Pelicans down the stretch because of his outside shooting (31.1% 3-point shooter). But he’s a phenomenal defender (88th percentile in Defensive Estimated Plus-Minus). So, if he can figure out that jumper (there’s still a chance, given his age), he could develop into one of the better role players in the league.

 

Bufkin (21) didn’t play much last year (196 total minutes), but he flashed some serious promise at Michigan, particularly as an on-ball creator. In his sophomore season, Bufkin finished in the 72nd percentile in pick and roll ball handler efficiency and the 84th percentile in isolation (per Synergy Sports). He and Bogdanovic can run the offense when Young is on the bench. And thanks to his positional size (6’8 wingspan), the Hawks should be able to survive on defense when he shares the court with Young.

Risacher (19), the Hawks prized first overall pick, doesn’t have the highest upside (many people compare him to players like Michael Porter Jr.). But he is still a big dude (6.9’5 wingspan) who can shoot (Risacher hit 40.7% of his 209 threes in international play), which will take you pretty far in the NBA.

As we said, Okongwu (24) is a younger Capela, meaning the Hawks could theoretically move Capela to add assets elsewhere. And Krejci (also 24) is a solid three-and-D wing/forward on a good contract (4 years, 10.2 million, per Spotrac).

The Bottom Line

Listen, I’m not saying the Hawks are some darkhorse title contender. They may have lineup balance now, but you need lineup balance and talent to win big in this league. The Hawks are still one or two players away from meeting the necessary threshold in that area.*

[*Sidebar #2: In today’s game, having great lineup balance is better than just raw talent.]

But this is still the Eastern Conference we are talking about. The Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons, and Brooklyn Nets won’t be doing anything. And most likely, neither will the Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, or Charlotte Hornets. By that math, that means the Hawks are already a top 9 team in the East. That’s already better than they did last year (they were tenth).

But what happens if a couple of the teams in front of them suffer injuries or underperform? Could the Hawks sneak into a top 6 spot?

I don’t think that outcome is out of the realm of possibility, and that alone makes the 2024-25 Hawks better than anyone is giving them credit for.

The 2024-25 Atlanta Hawks are a better team than you think (sportscasting.com)

 

This is a really great take on the Hawks.  Not sure I can criticize this take at all.  Well done.

12 hours ago, JayBirdHawk said:

2024-25 Atlanta Hawks Projected Starting Lineup

After a disappointing season, the Hawks eye redemption with a new roster and Trae Young at the helm.

The Atlanta Hawks enter the 2024-25 NBA season looking for a fresh start after a disappointing 36-46 finish last year. They placed 10th in the Eastern Conference and, for the second straight year, were knocked out in the play-in tournament, failing to secure a playoff berth. 

This underwhelming performance prompted the franchise to make significant changes, including trading All-Star guard Dejounte Murray after two seasons in Atlanta, as the partnership between Murray and Trae Young failed to produce the desired results.

Now, with Murray gone and a mix of young talent and experienced veterans in place, the Hawks are aiming for a much-needed improvement. Under head coach Quin Snyder, the team will look to climb back into playoff contention. Let’s take a look at their projected starting lineup and key reserves for the 2024-25 season.

---

Point Guard (PG)

Starter: Trae Young

Reserves: Dyson Daniels, Kobe Bufkin, Keaton Wallace

Trae Young remains the undisputed leader of the Atlanta Hawks. The All-Star point guard is coming off another stellar season, where he averaged 25.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game while shooting 43.6% from the field and 35.5% from beyond the arc. Known for his deep shooting range, elite playmaking, and ability to control the game’s tempo, Young is the engine that drives the Hawks' offense. 

With the departure of Dejounte Murray, the ball will be in Young's hands even more, allowing him to take on the lion's share of playmaking duties.

Young’s ability to orchestrate pick-and-rolls and create shots for both himself and his teammates is what makes him so dangerous. His chemistry with Clint Capela and Jalen Johnson will be critical in keeping Atlanta's offense running smoothly. In a conference packed with talented guards, Trae Young will need to continue his role as both a floor general and an elite scorer if the Hawks hope to remain competitive.

Behind him, Dyson Daniels joins the Hawks after being involved in the trade that sent Murray to another team. Daniels is a versatile young guard known for his defensive prowess and playmaking ability, which will complement Young’s offensive skill set. While still developing as a shooter, Daniels could provide valuable minutes off the bench as a primary defender against opposing point guards.

Kobe Bufkin, Atlanta's first-round pick in 2023, will also compete for minutes in the backcourt. Bufkin flashed potential as a scorer and defender in his rookie campaign, and the Hawks will likely look to him as a key contributor in the second unit.
Keaton Wallace rounds out the group, serving as a reserve option at point guard, likely to see limited minutes but could provide some spark with his athleticism when called upon.

 

Shooting Guard (SG)

Starter: Bogdan Bogdanovic

Reserves: Garrison Mathews, Vit Krejci, Seth Lundy

With the departure of Dejounte Murray, veteran sharpshooter Bogdan Bogdanovic steps into the starting shooting guard role. Bogdanovic had a productive 2023-24 season, averaging 16.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game while shooting 42.8% from the field and 37.4% from three-point range. A crafty scorer and reliable outside threat, Bogdanovic will be tasked with spacing the floor for Trae Young and capitalizing on open looks generated by his star point guard’s playmaking.

Bogdanovic’s experience and basketball IQ will be essential for the Hawks, especially with the influx of young talent. His ability to create his own shot and move without the ball will be pivotal in helping Atlanta’s offense maintain its flow. However, his durability remains a concern, as injuries have slowed him in the past. If he can stay healthy, Bogdanovic should thrive in a starting role.

Garrison Mathews and Vit Krejci will provide depth behind Bogdanovic. Mathews is known for his tenacious defense and ability to knock down three-pointers, while Krejci offers versatility and length on both ends of the court. Seth Lundy, the Hawks' 2024 second-round pick, brings athleticism and scoring potential as a young player developing under Bogdanovic’s mentorship.

 

Small Forward (SF)

Starter: Zaccharie Risacher

Reserves: De'Andre Hunter, David Roddy, Kevon Harris

All eyes will be on Zaccharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. At just 19 years old, Risacher is already drawing comparisons to some of the NBA’s elite two-way wings. Standing at 6'9" with a smooth shooting stroke and incredible defensive instincts, Risacher will be thrust into the starting lineup early in his career, though he may experience some growing pains as he adjusts to the pace and physicality of the NBA.

De'Andre Hunter will play a critical role as a key reserve behind Risacher. Hunter had his best season in 2023-24, averaging 15.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 45.9% from the field and 38.5% from three-point range. 

His ability to contribute on both ends of the floor makes him one of the Hawks' most important players, and his presence will ease the transition for Risacher.
David Roddy and Kevon Harris will compete for minutes off the bench, each bringing toughness and energy to the forward position. Roddy’s versatility and size make him a useful option in various lineups.

---

Power Forward (PF)

Starter: Jalen Johnson

Reserves: Larry Nance Jr., Mouhamed Gueye, Joey Hauser

After a breakout sophomore season, Jalen Johnson is ready to take the next step as Atlanta's starting power forward. Johnson averaged 16.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game last season while shooting 51.1% from the field and 35.5% from three-point range. 

His combination of size, athleticism, and ball-handling ability makes him a versatile forward capable of creating mismatches on offense and switching defensively. Johnson’s growth will be pivotal to the Hawks' success, especially as they look to solidify their frontcourt.

Larry Nance Jr., acquired in the offseason, will provide veteran leadership and versatility off the bench. Nance is known for his high basketball IQ, defensive impact, and ability to play multiple frontcourt positions. Mouhamed Gueye and Joey Hauser will add depth to the rotation, though they are still developing as young players.

---

Center (C)

Starter: Clint Capela

Reserves: Onyeka Okongwu, Cody Zeller, Dominick Barlow

Anchoring the defense once again is veteran center Clint Capela. The shot-blocking big man is coming off his seventh straight season averaging a double-double, with 11.5 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 57.1% from the field. Capela’s rim protection and rebounding will continue to be critical for the Hawks, particularly in their efforts to control the paint and defend against the East's elite big men.

Behind Capela, Onyeka Okongwu is one of the league’s most promising young centers. Known for his defensive instincts, Okongwu provides a significant boost off the bench and has the potential to take over the starting role in the future. Cody Zeller and Dominick Barlow offer additional depth at center, though they are likely to see limited minutes barring injuries.

Coming off a frustrating 36-46 season and another early exit in the play-in tournament, the Atlanta Hawks are looking to rebound in 2024-25. The trade of Dejounte Murray signals a shift toward a more Trae Young-centric offense, with an emphasis on developing young talent like Zaccharie Risacher and Jalen Johnson. 

While there’s plenty of potential on this roster, the team will need to gel quickly and find consistency if they hope to improve on last year’s disappointing finish.

2024-25 Atlanta Hawks Projected Starting Lineup - Fadeaway World

This take is plausible but the idea that our versatile players won’t play a minute except at one position really distorts that depth chart.  Just because Dyson will play some PG doesnt mean he won’t play minutes at the 2 and the 3.  Hunter will play some 4.  ZR will play at multiple positions depending on matchups.  Nance will play some center.  Kobe could get some time at the 2 next to Trae.  Etc.

[macdaddy]

14 hours ago, JayBirdHawk said:

The NBA Clarity Index

Some teams are entering the 2024-25 NBA season with an unmistakable direction. Others … not so much. We sorted every franchise into tiers based on a simple question: How clear is its plan?

The Fun-House Mirror Tier

Confusing, freaky, and occasionally entertaining.

Atlanta Hawks

Charlotte Hornets

Chicago Bulls

Detroit Pistons

Portland Trail Blazers

Toronto Raptors

Utah Jazz

At last, we come to the most befuddling tier of all—the teams that seem to have no idea whatsoever where they’re headed.

The Pistons, who haven’t won a playoff series since before Obama’s first term, just replaced their general manager and their head coach yet again and have yet to develop a franchise star, despite annual trips to the draft lottery. Their offseason moves—signing veteran Tobias Harris to a two-year, $52 million deal and swapping the young and affordable Quentin Grimes for the older and overpaid Tim Hardaway Jr.—just muddied the picture further.

The Bulls have been mired in mediocrity ever since they banked everything on the high-priced/low-ceiling core of DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic. They’ve belatedly begun to tear it down but seem to be stuck with LaVine and his massive contract, and they still don’t have a definable goal beyond chasing a play-in spot.

The Hornets also have a new front office and head coach, and some interesting young talent, but are no closer to respectability.

The Hawks had the clarity to finally end the failed Trae Young–Dejounte Murray experiment (sending Murray to New Orleans), but they still seem directionless. If anything, they’re moving backward.

The Trail Blazers are just a year removed from the franchise-shaking decision to trade Damian Lillard and perhaps deserve some grace. But this is a team that waited too long to break up the Lillard–CJ McCollum backcourt, arguably waited too long to trade Lillard, and squandered chances to flip lottery picks for veteran help when Lillard was still there. Signing Jerami Grant to a massive contract just before trading Lillard doesn’t indicate a team with clear goals. Portland has collected some promising young talent—Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, Anfernee Simons—but with a lot of overlapping skills and no obvious no. 1.

The Raptors waited too long to shed their old core (Siakam, O.G. Anunoby, Fred VanVleet) and are still trying to construct a new one around Scottie Barnes. Is this the right group? Or will we see another two years of roster churn?

And the Jazz? They might be the most confusing of all—a team that jettisoned its All-Stars two years ago, isn’t good enough to make the playoffs, and isn’t bad enough to nab a high draft pick. They could have dealt Lauri Markkanen a dozen times by now, but they instead gave him an extension that makes him trade ineligible until next summer. They’re neither trying to win nor trying to lose—the epitome of a franchise with an identity crisis.

The NBA Clarity Index - The Ringer

Straight hate lumping us in with the bums of the NBA.  It's all good.  I'd rather come out of nowhere. 

[deester11]

I've refrained from negativity and I've stated that I'm in wait and see mode, but I'm having to squint to have the "feels" some of you have. 

Edited September 27 by deester11

[JayBirdHawk]

 

Missing Garri Bird, Big Body Roddy and Zeller

[Spud2nique]

10 minutes ago, JayBirdHawk said:

 

Missing Garri Bird, Big Body Roddy and Zeller

Ahhhhh nice Burd!

[macdaddy]

2 hours ago, deester11 said:

I've refrained from negativity and I've stated that I'm in wait and see mode, but I'm having to squint to have the "feels" some of you have. 

Flipping DJ for DD is a big improvement.   Having Nance is a big improvement at the backup 4 (over having nothing). 

So that's the main reason i'm slightly optimistic. 

If we get something out of Zacc and Kobe then we are really improved.  

[theheroatl]

Starting Bogi is a mistake. 

Trae/DD/ZR/JJ/(Center) is how I would like to see them play

First off bench is Bogi and Dre

[AHF]

5 minutes ago, theheroatl said:

Starting Bogi is a mistake. 

 

The team has clearly been too good with Bogi in the lineup.  Huge mistake if they start him.  We don't want to be +6 when the game starts.

(More seriously, I think there are very reasonable cases that can be made for starting DD, Bogi, and ZR and even a case for DH.  There is nobody that stands hands and shoulders above the others but the 2023-24 numbers do make the strongest case for Bogi.)

[AHF]

24 minutes ago, macdaddy said:

Flipping DJ for DD is a big improvement.   Having Nance is a big improvement at the backup 4 (over having nothing). 

So that's the main reason i'm slightly optimistic. 

If we get something out of Zacc and Kobe then we are really improved.  

People should not overlook that every minute with Trae and DM on the floor together was the equivalent of a 22 win team last year.  The Hawks were terrible with them playing together and they played a lot of the season together.  

Just getting rid of DM and starting a bigger guard next to Trae makes us a lot better.  Adding DD is a very valuable skillset that we didn't have last year.  Nance is valuable depth.  ZR is advertised as being ready in a limited role.  All of these should make us better than last year.  Add development of Kobe, JJ, etc.  

[JayBirdHawk]

48 minutes ago, theheroatl said:

Starting Bogi is a mistake. 

Trae/DD/ZR/JJ/(Center) is how I would like to see them play

First off bench is Bogi and Dre

 

41 minutes ago, AHF said:

The team has clearly been too good with Bogi in the lineup.  Huge mistake if they start him.  We don't want to be +6 when the game starts.

(More seriously, I think there are very reasonable cases that can be made for starting DD, Bogi, and ZR and even a case for DH.  There is nobody that stands hands and shoulders above the others but the 2023-24 numbers do make the strongest case for Bogi.)

Our Best lineups all include Bogi! There has to be 'something' to that.