The Atlanta Hawks were not happy with the end of the 2021-22 season, as they were bounced in five by the Miami Heat. The Hawks underachieved in many ways when you consider the talent they had on the roster. They did, however, suffer multiple injuries to key pieces of the team. With that in mind, some would say, they overachieved.
2021-2022 Record: 43-39
2021-2022 Home record: 27-14
2021-2022 Road record: 16-25
Strength of schedule rank: 3/32
2021-2022 Championship Odds: +5000 (FanDuel)
More often than not, it is the Atlanta Trae Youngs, with a few solid backup dancers. This is effective when Trae is on. It is very ineffective when he is not. Few, maybe excluding Luka Doncic, take the ball into their own hands (literally) for such long periods of time as much as Trae Young. Team basketball is necessary for this team to make it to the next level.
Difference-makers
Trae Young: Young finished fourth last season in points per game at 28.4 and third in assists at 9.7. This is impressive, but it’s just not enough against deeper teams. Young often found himself trying to do too much, rightfully so – the team was thick with talent, but mostly of the spot-up shooter variety or down-low bangers. Despite the incredible, personal statistics, the Hawks needed a secondary scorer.
Dejounte Murray: Atlanta added that secondary scorer in the form of Dejounte Murray, who finished the 2021-22 season 20th in points per game at 21.1 and was just behind Young in assists at 9.2 per game. Dejounte also added averages of 8.4 rebounds per suit-up and led the league in steals with 2.0 per contest. To say they added a secondary and complementary option to Young is a massive understatement. Many would argue Murray as one of the best all-around players in the NBA. This is what the Hawks need to move to the next level and the addition of Murray should help do just that. Murray is a triple-double machine, great at sharing the ball and is an accomplished scorer in his own right. After some cryptic, underhanded tweets during the off-season, Murray had this to say about the city of San Antonio:
SAN ANTONIO I LOVE YOU FOREVER…..🖤 Thank You @spurs And The Whole City For Believing In Me And Embracing Me From DAY ONE. I Want To Write A Whole Book But It’s Not Easy. We Are Family And Its Always Going To Be Bigger Than Basketball!!! pic.twitter.com/wMrmZanTbj
— Dejounte Murray (@DejounteMurray) June 30, 2022
Murray was one of the biggest offseason moves in the NBA. Murray will keep defenses honest and an underrated part of his game is his defensive abilities. One of the greatest areas of growth for ATL should be guarding the perimeter. Murray will need to adjust to not being option 1 on offense, something he has been for a couple of years. His friendship with Young will only help expedite his transition to Atlanta. His maturity was called into question during some of the offseason shenanigans, however, emotions are high, especially in young superstars, so some of that was to be expected and will have little to no impact on the Hawks.
Clint Capela: Capela is a great clean-up man, but is also capable of creating and converting his own shots. While his field goal percentage increased year-over-year, his minutes, free throw percentage, rebounds, and points per game declined. This is in part due to rotational changes; however, Capela is their best big man and gives them the best chance at victory. This was evident in the Miami series. After going down in the play-in game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Capela’s absence loomed large against the Heat.
Other factors
De’Andre Hunter: In theory, the Hawks should have one of, if not the best front court trio in the league. A healthy Clint Capela, John Collins, and De’Andre Hunter are a load for any team to handle. As was the case with Capela, Hunter saw a decrease in rebounds and points per game year-over-year. Under-utilizing Hunter is not ideal. He missed a lot of time with injury, but when he is on, he is a force.
Onyeka Okongwu: The sixth overall draft pick in the 2020 NBA draft has shown streaks of brilliance. He is capable of handling more minutes and the Hawks are expected to rely on him more heavily. This 6’ 8″ former USC Trojan is poised to take another big step in his career, adding to the Hawks’ stable of talented big guys.
Atlanta Hawks road identity: Atlanta is a completely different team on the road. Despite winning records in each of the last two seasons at home, the Atlanta Hawks are 13 games under .500 on the road. The splits away from Mercedes Benz Stadium are not kind. If the Hawks are serious about pursuing a championship, they will need to win away from Atlanta.
Atlanta Hawks Starting 5
Point Guard: Trae Young
Shooting Guard: Dejounte Murray
Small Forward: De’Andre Hunter
Power Forward: John Collins
Center: Clint Capela
If the Atlanta Hawks are willing to commit to a more team-oriented game, they will be one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, and maybe the entire NBA. Atlanta carries one of the better bundles of big men in the league. They will go as far as Trae Young allows. No one complains when Trae grooves into one of his can’t miss heaters, but when he is off, he can still share the basketball with the best of them. His willingness to be a pass-first player when the situation calls for it will be instrumental in Atlanta’s success.
Fantasy implications: Expect Young to have a slight decline in counting stats with the addition of Murray, but he is still a first to second-round pick in most formats. Dejounte Murray’s ADP should improve year-over-year. I am very high on Murray and love Okongwu as a late-round add. Collins will be the most disappointing of the bunch.
Prediction
Regular Season: 48 – 34 – 5th Seed in the East
Postseason: Loses to Brooklyn in the conference semifinals
