Atlanta Hawks: 3 Bold Predictions for Alex Poythress in 2018-19

A look at three bold predictions for Atlanta Hawks two-way contract signee Alex Poythress, who last played for the Indiana Pacers.

Alex Poythress hasn’t gotten much of a chance in his short career to show what he is capable of at the NBA level. This season on the Atlanta Hawks the young wing may be able to grind his way to role in the Hawks rotation even though he will be splitting his time between Erie and Atlanta.

My three bold predictions for Poythress are to spend more time with the Atlanta Hawks than he does with the Erie BayHawks, carve out a rotational bench spot on the squad, and make the Atlanta Hawks full-time for the upcoming season.

Alex Poythress will spend more time in Atlanta than Erie

The Hawks are a team in the midst of a rebuild and are a searching for future pieces that could help accelerate their rebuild, especially if they are on affordable contracts that would be easy to lock up like Poythress is.

Poythress will most likely see limited (if any) time early in the season for the Hawks, but they are bound for another season of struggle in which we should get to see more and more young guys like Poythress as the season goes on.

If he can take advantage and show flashes in his limited time he could carve out a strong, consistent bench role.

Alex Poythress will have a rotational bench role for the Atlanta Hawks

This seems like it could be a stretch, but these are supposed to be bold predictions, right?

Poythress is an obvious athletic talent and is very lengthy. If he can play with a consistent motor and be aggressive every second he is on the floor, he could earn a spot on a Hawks team that lacks defensive presence all over the court.

The Hawks are looking for answers and are looking to give opportunities to guys who are willing to play hard and earn a role in the rotation.

Alex Poythress will make the Atlanta Hawks’s roster next year

Young athletic wings are extremely important in the modern NBA so there are always open roster spots for guys like him. While his stats leave much to be desired, his talent may be untapped still and a young coach like Lloyd Pierce seems like he will have the potential to get the most possible out of players.

If Poythress can prove to be a versatile wing that plays hard, he could not only carve out a role this season, but move his way into a position to succeed next season as the Hawks move forward in their rebuild.