How Does the Atlanta Hawks Roster Look for 2020-21?

One of the most talked-about teams heading into the 2020-21 season is the Hawks. Atlanta had a talented core in place a season ago but was unable to make strides toward being a playoff team. Thanks to adding Nate McMillan to the coaching staff and luring in a myriad of newcomers, the Atlanta Hawks roster is ready to take flight.

Let’s get more acquainted with who Lloyd Pierce will be relying on.

The Hawks can go in a number of different directions with their starting lineup. Trae Young is locked in at the point, and John Collins and Clint Capela give Atlanta a reputable duo in the post. The wing positions are where things get interesting.

Kevin Huerter is a sharpshooting two-guard who flashed signs of being a tremendous asset. Bogdan Bogdanovic was one of the most coveted free agents in 2020 and chose Atlanta due to the excitement surrounding this organization. 

Bogdan Bogdanovic will be the newest Atlanta Hawk after the Kings declined to match his four-year, $72 million offer sheet.

(via @wojespn) pic.twitter.com/jTlZMHxTxE

— ESPN (@espn) November 25, 2020

As intriguing as both Huerter and Bogdanovic are, the Atlanta Hawks roster comes with a dynamic bench that includes multiple options at either wing.

Danilo Gallinari arrives from OKC as a proven commodity who can play either the three or the four. Gallinari has averaged a lofty 18.8 ppg over the last five seasons and will help stretch the defense.

Rajon Rondo comes in to provide leadership to Trae Young and authenticity to the second unit. De’Andre Hunter was impressive as a rookie (12.3 ppg, 4.5 rbg), Cam Reddish will continue to evolve, while Kris Dunn and Tony Snell offer much-needed depth.

Perhaps the most exciting piece of the Hawks bench is the 6^th-overall pick, Onyeka Okongwu.

Sort of a cross between Clint Capela and John Collins, the PF/C out of USC has a chance to be a real difference-maker on both ends of the floor.

One thing for certain is the Atlanta Hawks coaching staff will have lots of choices to make when it comes to divvying up the minutes. There are only so many to go around.

As a rookie, Trae Young was flashy. As a second-year player, the former Sooner PG was one of the premier players in basketball – period.

Any thought that Young was just some undersized point guard who liked to chuck up long balls has long been firmly put to bed. We’re talking about one of the elite PGs in the sport and a guy some are calling “Steph Curry 2.0.”

A quick look at Trae’s numbers allude to the improvements and help put these comments in perspective.

I can’t wait to see what’s in store for year three. Neither can the folks in the A-T-L.

Clint Capela is yet to suit up for Atlanta as he was dealing with a foot injury when he was traded in February. His presence in the paint alone will immediately boost the defense, and let’s bring you up to speed just how effective Clint had been for the Rockets.

Capela has shot over 62% from the field in each of the last four seasons. He averaged 17/13 in 2018/2019 and 14/14 in 2019/20. Frankly, a genuine shot blocker with a 7’5” wingspan is exactly what Atlanta needed.

Credit to GM Travis Schlenk for being able to deliver.

Woj said it best when he summed up the assertiveness from the Hawks front office during the abbreviated offseason.

For Hawks GM Travis Schlenk, it was a wise gamble to overpay market value on Bogdanovic. That’s how you land players in restricted free agency. Now, Bogdan joins Danilo Gallinari as centerpieces of an ATL free agency class that's reshaped roster around All-Star guard Trae Young.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 25, 2020

This team could be great, but expectations should probably be tempered given this team generated a 20-47 record last season.

On the other hand, it’s hard not to be captivated when you assess the Atlanta Hawks roster.

Trae Young represents a legitimate superstar and will be surrounded by marksmen on the perimeter. Atlanta has a sincere 20/10 guy in John Collins and one of the best defensive-minded centers in Clint Capela. I’d argue their bench is as deep as any in the NBA.

It’s no surprise that so many experts around the league are pegging the Hawks to make a massive leap up the standings.