An exploration of 4 players on the Atlanta Hawks roster who need to get more playing time as the season grinds on.
With a dispiriting record of 6-22, the Atlanta Hawks currently have the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference and the third-worst record in the entire league (behind the Phoenix Suns and Chicago Bulls).
Though the Hawks have a full slate of interesting and talented rookies, it takes time for first-year players to adjust to the league overall, and this season has certainly already been full of growing pains for the young players in Atlanta.
Though first round picks Trae Young, Kevin Huerter and Omari Spellman have all had memorable performances at times, there are a few more young players that have not seen as much playing time as those high-profile draft selections.
Since the Atlanta Hawks are not particularly aiming to win games this season as they tank for Zion Williamson, R.J. Barrett or Cam Reddish out of Duke, the team should prioritize getting these unseasoned players some more in-game reps as the season plays out.
Read on to explore the 4 players that should get more minutes as the season progresses and the calendar flips over to 2019.
Alex Poythress
Two-Way Player Alex Poythress has not played for the Atlanta Hawks since suffering an ankle injury against the Indiana Pacers on November 17th. Poythress’s injury was a shame, as he had been providing the Hawks with serviceable wing minutes and a flurry of dunks (9 in 195 minutes played to be exact).
A burly power forward who can switch across multiple positions on defense, Poythress showcased solid chops on both ends of the floor for the Hawks in the early portion of the season – filling in ably for John Collins and providing a solid facsimile of JC’s amazing athleticism and stunning leaping ability.
While Poythress lacks the otherworldly touch around the basket and highlight-reel-worthy, high-flying dunks that John the Baptist can provide, Poythress is definitely an impressive vertical athlete who got up in the early season for lobs and breakaway slams in transition.
Beyond that, Poythress was shooting quite well from distance – employing the Atlanta Hawks’ modern offensive system to get lots of open corner threes. On the season, Poythress is shooting 35.7 percent from distance on 1.1 triple attempts per game.
Poythress is still listed as day-to-day with his ankle issue, but let’s hope he’s able to come back to the lineup soon, as the Hawks should be looking to see what they have in the 25-year-old, third-year players as they move forward this season.
Jaylen Adams
An undrafted rookie out of St. Bonaventure University, Jaylen Adams was signed to a Two-Way Contract by the Atlanta Hawks very shortly after the 2018 NBA Draft was completed. Though he has played sparingly for the big club, Adams has lit up the G-League in the time he’s spent in Erie. He memorably poured in 44 points against the Westchester Knicks in November, tossing in triples with ease on the way to a record night:
Similarly, his play for St. Bonny was typified by stirring offensive showings in which he splashed three-pointers from all over the court.
For the Atlanta Hawks, playing Adams a bit more down the end of the season would serve them well, as they would be able to see if Adams is a potential backup point guard fit for the long haul. Adams has already shown an ability to defend quite ably at the point guard position, though he has only seen minutes in lopsided blowouts.
In spot minutes (25 total this season), Adams has not really been able to get into a rhythm, but with the Hawks not looking to win in the short-term, Adams should at least get some run as the season winds down.
Sure, it’s early, but Adams has looked like an NBA player out there in his limited minutes, and it would be nice to see him get a little more run in Atlanta.
Daniel Hamilton
The more tantalizing prospect on the Hawks who has seen extremely limited minutes is Daniel Hamilton.
Last year, Hamilton played spot minutes for the Oklahoma City Thunder, but where he has really shone so far is in the G-League. Though Hamilton has only played 4 games for the Erie BayHawks, it’s quite clear that he is too good to be playing down there, and should remain with the Hawks for the remainder of the season.
That’s an easier ask than it might be for Poythress and Adams too, since Hamilton was actually signed to a full NBA contract and not a limited Two-Way deal.
In 4 G-League games this season, Hamilton is averaging a near-triple-double of 18.2 points, 11.2 rebounds and 7.2 assists. Exceptional work.
Hamilton has good size at 6-foot-7 and a lanky frame with long arms, but it’s very apparent he could still tack on some muscle on his thin and wiry frame. If given the chance for the Hawks, it’s very possible that Hamilton could carve out a role for himself as a multifaceted combo guard. In a short stint against the Boston Celtics, it was clear that Hamilton possessed the ability to grab and go off a live rebound, pushing the ball hard down the court with excellent footspeed. He even splashed a smooth triple in garbage time, which was nice to see.
Tyler Dorsey
The number-one player who deserves to get more playing time for the Atlanta Hawks this season is one of last season’s Atlanta Hawks darlings, Tyler Dorsey.
Along with Second Team All-Rookie honoree John Collins, Tyler Dorsey was one of the few reasons to tune in and watch the Atlanta Hawks last season – especially after Kent Bazemore and Dennis Schröder were shut down for the season.
Dorsey factored into the Hawks’ game plan considerably last season, but for the most part, he has been out of the rotation in 2018-19. Now with Taurean Prince and many others banged up with injury, Dorsey has seemingly returned to the top of Coach Lloyd Pierce’s mind in recent games.
With good reason. Dorsey typifies the bench spark plug role with his high effort and indefatigable motor as well as his smooth, pure three-point stroke. After a 36.2 percent shooting clip from long-range last season, Dorsey has come off the bench this year in limited minutes and showcased an ability to slash to the rim, hoist up catch-and-shoot triples and also surprise with his excellent verticality to grab and go off rebounds.
Though only a second round pick in 2017, Dorsey showed a lot of what could make him a potential long-term fit for the Atlanta Hawks last season, and it would be a disservice to him and to the organization at large if they did not give him some more minutes as the season continues.
The Atlanta Hawks are on a one-way train heading to ZionTown, so let’s trot some of these younger players out there to see what we have. Winning is not in the cards, so let’s hope the Atlanta Hawks let these young Hawks fly unfettered.