Atlanta Hawks: 2019-20 Season Will Be All About Young Core
By Chris Guest
A quick pondering of how the Atlanta Hawks rebuild is progressing in its second full year.
During the 2017-18 season, the Atlanta Hawks were in a state of flux. Mike Budenholzer was still the head coach, and the two most recognizable players on the squad were the lone holdovers from the magical 2014-15 team were Dennis Schröder and Kent Bazemore.
Fast forward only two seasons and neither of those players are present. In fact, the only player left from that roster is fourth-year wing DeAndre’ Bembry. How quickly the NBA changes.
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In the upcoming 2019-20 season, the Atlanta Hawks are primed to be one of the most exciting and interesting teams in the entire league, and Hawks fans are sure to be excited about how seemingly quickly the rebuild is progressing – after the team trotted out some unsightly lineups to end the 2017-18 campaign.
Clearly, the Hawks have a rock-solid young core that has been pared down to its most important components. Remember, Taurean Prince and Omari Spellman were widely believed to be important building blocks heading into last season. Now, neither one is present for the 2018-19 campaign.
Next season will be singularly focused on building chemistry, improving the team’s defense and seeing growth from the team’s young players. John Collins and Trae Young are clearly on a meteoric rise, as both were added to the USA men’s national team Select Team ahead of the FIBA World Cup later this month, and Kevin Huerter was named to the All-Rookie Second Team last year as well.
In addition, three highly touted prospects were brought into the fold via the 2019 NBA Draft this offseason, which should also add intrigue to the season.
Next. Hawks 2019-20 Projected Starting Lineup. dark
There is such a positive buzz around the Atlanta Hawks at this moment, that rumors and rumblings of a playoff berth seem less than far-fetched. Heading into last season, that statement was wildly untrue. No matter how the season goes, remember this hopeful feeling, Hawks fans and cherish it – we have seen how quickly that hope can be extinguished.