{"id":24863,"date":"2019-08-23T13:00:54","date_gmt":"2019-08-23T17:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprobasketball.com\/?p=24863"},"modified":"2019-08-22T09:04:21","modified_gmt":"2019-08-22T13:04:21","slug":"countdown-to-nba-tip-off-atlanta-hawks-season-preview-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2019\/08\/23\/countdown-to-nba-tip-off-atlanta-hawks-season-preview-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Countdown to NBA Tip-Off: Atlanta Hawks Season Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Atlanta Hawks<\/a> are clearly in the middle of a rebuild. It\u2019s an exciting rebuild, to say the least.<\/p>\n

In the last three NBA drafts, the Hawks have assembled quite a squad that possesses intriguing, untapped and raw potential. It\u2019s all about building positive momentum in Atlanta these days.<\/p>\n

Atlanta Hawks 2019-20 Season Preview<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Recapping the 2018-19 Season<\/strong><\/h3>\n

As one of the youngest teams in the NBA, there were hardly any expectations heading into the 2018-19 season.<\/p>\n

It was more about letting young players\u2014namely Trae Young<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and John Collins<\/a><\/strong>\u2014either get their feet wet or expand their games. As you can imagine, this was not a recipe for a successful season and the predictable result was another losing season (29-53).<\/p>\n

Coach Lloyd Pierce knew what he was in for when he took this job last season. The second-year coach learned some valuable lessons last year. It was all about learning from past mistakes and taking the next steps.<\/p>\n

Offseason Moves<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Atlanta sure did load up on youngsters on draft night, as the Hawks landed two prized lottery picks in De’Andre Hunter<\/a><\/strong> (number four pick in a trade<\/a> with the New Orleans Pelicans<\/a>\u2014via the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a>) and Cam Reddish<\/a><\/strong> (number 10 pick). They also acquired the rights to second-round pick Bruno Fernando<\/a><\/strong> from the Philadelphia 76ers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Hawks did not just hit it big on draft night, but they also acquired Jabari Parker<\/a><\/strong>, Evan Turner<\/a><\/strong>, and Allen Crabbe<\/a><\/strong>. Atlanta signed Parker to a value deal in free agency while trading for both Turner and Crabbe\u2014with the main players in those moves being Kent Bazemore<\/a><\/strong> and Taurean Prince<\/a><\/strong>, respectively.<\/p>\n

The Hawks also took a chance on trading for Chandler Parsons<\/a><\/strong> from the Memphis Grizzlies<\/a>, while trading away Solomon Hill<\/a><\/strong> and Miles Plumlee<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The off-season moves made by the Hawks\u2019 brass feature an upgrade that includes a nice blend of young, budding rookies to go along with some veterans who still have some gas left in their tank.<\/p>\n

Season Expectations<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Again, this is an extremely young Hawks\u2019 squad. The expectations this year should remain in check.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s say it upfront. The Hawks are not going to be contending for an NBA playoff bid. And that\u2019s alright. They don\u2019t have to.<\/p>\n