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

By Colby Giacubeno

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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Nov 7, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Kent Bazemore (24) celebrates after his three-point basket in the fourth quarter of their game against the Washington Wizards at Philips Arena. Also shown on the play is Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0). The Hawks won 114-99. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Kent Bazemore (24) celebrates after his three-point basket in the fourth quarter of their game against the Washington Wizards at Philips Arena. Also shown on the play is Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0). The Hawks won 114-99. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Kent Bazemore

Position: Small Forward

2015-16 Statistics: 11.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 2.3 APG

Slash Line: 44.1/35.7/81.5

The Hawks’ No. 1 priority in free agency wasn’t re-signing Al Horford or increasing their outside chance of landing Kevin Durant. It was to re-sign Kent Bazemore. They did just that when they agreed to a four-year, $70 million deal.

Bazemore has emerged as one of the best young wing players in the league and will look to take on much more responsibility than he had in the 2015-16 season.

Alongside Paul Millsap, Bazemore will be the top option offensively. Last season, he showed tremendous growth in his versatility by not attacking the rim viciously, but also becoming a threat from three.

Bazemore now has a full year of being the consistent starter. That, along with his new contract, will carry high expectations. Bazemore is more than capable of exceeding those expectations judging off his improvement from last season.

He’ll have plenty of opportunities to work in pick-and-roll situations with Dwight Howard as well as playing some of the point-forward this year. Those two changes alone will bolster his production as he begins to assert himself as the guy on this Hawks team.

Next: The Start Of Something Special

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