2016-17 Results

Record: 43-39 (5th in the East)

Season Ended: Lost in the first round to the Wizards in 6 games.

Key Additions

Draft

John Collins (PF)

Free Agency

DeWayne Dedmon (C)

Trade

Marco Belinelli (SG), Miles Plumlee (C)

Key Subtractions

Dwight Howard, Paul Millsap, Tim Hardaway Jr, Thabo Sefalosha

Projected Starters (Last year averages)

PG: Dennis Schroder (18 pts, 6 ast, 3 reb)

SG: Kent Bazemore (11 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast)

SF: Taurean Prince (6 pts, 3 reb, 1 ast)

PF: Ersan Ilyasova (13 pts, 6 reb, 2 ast)

C: Dewayne Dedmon (5 pts, 7 reb, 1 ast)

Key Reserves

Marco Belinelli (SG) and John Collins (PF/C)

Major Story lines

The Rebuild Begins – The Hawks cleaned house and currently have no established stars on their roster for the first time since drafting Josh Smith in 2004. After trading Dwight Howard to the Hornets the Hawks proceeded to lose Tim Hardaway, Jr. and Paul Millsap in Free Agency. Dennis Schroder is now the future in Atlanta along with rookie John Collins. Guys like Prince and Bembry will also compete to be part of that future.

Dennis Schroder Arrested – Just before the start of the preseason the team’s best player was arrested for misdemeanor battery. The police report seems to indicate that he pushed a man after a verbal altercation and his friends proceeded to then jump the man. Due to his role one would expect he won’t face any jail time and at worse, could receive a brief suspension.

Mike Predictions (22 – 60) (13th in the East)

• Dennis Schroder makes an All-Star case: After breaking out in the playoffs last year, with the Hawks losing all of their primary stars, Dennis steps up and takes his game to the next level as he tries to carry this Hawks team. I’m not sure he’ll make it because his team will be bad but his numbers should be there.
• John Collins will become the starter eventually: Above I have Ilyasova as the projected starter but I do believe John Collins eventually gets that job. Whether it’s through merit or just because the team is losing and wants to speed up his development. He looked great in the Summer League and I believe he and Dennis could become a fun tandem down the line.

Josh Predictions (25 – 57) (13th in the East)

• John Collins earns All-Rookie 2nd Team honors: There’s really not much to get excited about with this year’s Hawks team, outside of Schroder, [maybe] Taurean Prince, and the rookie John Collins. He showed off his quickness and athleticism during Summer League, and I think he’ll have a productive season once the team decides if he’ll see more time at the PF or C position. I think he’ll turn out to be a nice steal for Atlanta as it begins the long rebuild process.