Atlanta Hawks: 7 Players Set for Breakout Years in 2018-19

4. Trae Young

This was an easy one. As one of the most lauded rookies in Hawks history, Trae Young comes into the season with the weight of a fan base on his fairly narrow shoulders.

Many people are nitpicking Trae’s game and frankly disrespecting his abilities, while others are homering heavily for him to become the next Stephen Curry. The most likely outcome is somewhere in the middle, but Young is still poised to have a breakout year in 2018-19.

All of his skills and flaws were on full display in Summer League, when he careened from looking like an All-NBA contributor to a lost and befuddled pickup game participant. Sure, he had some highlight plays, but the growing pains were apparent.

Still though, he is one of the most approachable players (think early superstar-era Steph Curry) in the league, and he lavishes the idea of playing for the Atlanta Hawks as its primary focus in marketing and promotional materials.

If Trae can even somewhat live up to the hype, he will have a great shot at winning Rookie of the Year and having a breakout campaign (something that ESPN does not believe he will do).

3. Alex Len

A rather shocking decision here, but Alex Len clocks in as our third-highest chance at having a breakout year in 2018-19.

Signed to a two-year deal about halfway through the free agency frenzy, Len was not a particularly sexy signing to the masses, even if it was an interesting one for NBA nerds and Atlanta Hawks fans alike.

As has been explored before, Len had perhaps his best professional season in 2017-18, as his efficiency numbers and general offensive numbers were the best they’ve ever been.

Now in his fifth season, Len can be expected to play big minutes as the primary backup center to Dewayne Dedmon, and if Dedmon is traded or gets injured, then Len will likely be given a lot of rope at the five along with rookie Omari Spellman and sophomore John Collins.