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Who will be the Atlanta Hawks’ team leaders in 2016-17?

By Tom Atkinson

Dec 23, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer coaches against the Detroit Pistons in the third quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Pistons 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer coaches against the Detroit Pistons in the third quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Pistons 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Assists Per Game

Mar 16, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) defends Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) during the fourth quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Atlanta won 118-114. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) defends Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) during the fourth quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Atlanta won 118-114. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

Leader: Dennis Schroeder- 6.7 apg

Finally granted the reins to this offense, it is not a brave suggestion to say that Dennis Schroeder will be the top playmaker on the Hawks’ roster. He is Roadrunner-fast on the floor and he has a great patience and mindset, something he has carried since his first Summer League and all of those things help him be a strong playmaker. Schroeder has struggled with turnovers in the past but his playmaking vision has always been there. Coach Mike Budenholzer sees that and he made his feelings perfectly clear on the matter when speaking to Zach Lowe of Grantland.

“It sounds counterintuitive, but the way he’s turning over the ball now- it’s a good thing. He’s really trying to get his teammates the ball in the right places,” coach Mike Budenholzer said to Grantland’s Zach Lowe.

Schroeder averaged 4.4 assists off the bench last year and you should expect him to continue to refine and develop his game over the offseason. If he does that, Schroeder’s talents and flashiness (how about ‘dat pass?) can explode. He has proven himself to be a good passer and talented floor general and it would be no surprise to see Schroeder come close to the same numbers as Teague when he is given the extra minutes.

Runner-up: Jarrett Jack- 4.5 assists per game.

Jack enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career last year, finishing with a career-high 7.4 assists per game as a starter on the Brooklyn Nets. This year, however, Jack will become a back-up to Schroeder and so his minutes, and thus his opportunity to drop dimes, will be reduced. As a result, his assist tally for the upcoming season won’t come close to last year’s but he should be able to hit at around his career average of 4.5 assists per game. Jack was a good addition to the roster. A veteran with 12-years’ experience in the NBA, Jack should offer a great deal of stability behind the young and unpredictable Schroeder. If the German struggles at times, expect Jack to be a steady guiding hand for the team’s offense.

Next: Blocks Per Game

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