Atlanta Hawks: Who Will Exceed Expectations In 2016-17?

Dec 6, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears forward Taurean Prince (21) celebrates after scoring against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at the Ferrell Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears forward Taurean Prince (21) celebrates after scoring against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at the Ferrell Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
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Feb 26, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Kent Bazemore (24) celebrates a three-point basket in the fourth quarter of their game against the Chicago Bulls at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 103-88. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Kent Bazemore (24) celebrates a three-point basket in the fourth quarter of their game against the Chicago Bulls at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 103-88. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Hawks will have several players with plenty to prove next season. Who will exceed expectations?

While the Atlanta Hawks didn’t have a complete roster turnover, they did make some major changes thus far this summer.

As of right now, there are 17 players on the roster, which is a problem considering they can only carry 15 once the regular season officially begins.

The conversation of who they should make the final cut is a story for another day, but there are players that are expected to be apart of next season’s rotation is something to evaluate now. The departure of both Jeff Teague and Al Horford could have significant impact if the players set to take their spots in the starting rotation cannot live up to the expectations.

The Hawks have made the playoffs for the last nine-straight seasons. With the major changes that the rotation will undergo, it’ll be much more difficult to make the postseason next year than it has been in recent memory.

However, if these players can exceed expectations, their streak will stay alive.

Next: Proven, Yet Unknown