Atlanta Hawks Projected Starting Lineup for 2019-20 Season

Center: Alex Len

Last but not least, the most logical choice as the Atlanta Hawks starting center in 2019-20 is none other than last year’s opening day starter at the five: 26-year-old Alex Len.

Len had his best season from a raw production standpoint in his first year outside of the Phoenix Suns organization (which may or may not be a telling sign). For the first time in his career, Len showcased the ability to step outside and knock down the three-point shot, which is something that seemingly all NBA centers must be able to do at this juncture in the NBA.

Len was adept at the stretch five role last season, shooting 36.3 percent from deep on 2.6 attempts per game and a 31.5 percent three-point attempt rate per Basketball Reference. Len’s 204 three-point attempts last year were 179 more than he had taken in his career to that point.

Beyond that, Len’s role as a lob finisher and rim-runner for Trae Young’s pick-and-roll mastery was sorely needed, and with Dewayne Dedmon no longer on the team, Len will need to provide a bit more heft on defense as well – something that Dedmon was excellent at in his two years in Atlanta.

At times, Len lacked touch around the rim, as he detests contact and often misses bunnies when a defender bumps him. Perhaps he needs to be motivated by getting posterized, as Len produced easily the best game of his career late in the season against the Milwaukee Bucks after getting yammed on by the MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo.

If Len can play with a fire and drive and truly use that hulking 7-foot-1, 250-pound frame to his advantage next season, the Atlanta Hawks will have yet another weapon in the starting lineup surrounding  the team’s young core.