NBA State of the Tank Volume I: Race For the First Pick

4 of 8

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – FEBRUARY 09: Dewayne Dedmon #14 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts with Trae Young #11 after dunking against the New York Knicks in the first half at State Farm Arena on February 09, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Atlanta Hawks

Record: 15-39

Current odds: 14%

Remaining SOS: 30th (easiest) (.450)

Years Tanking: 3

The Hawks were among the busiest teams at the NBA Trade deadline, and set themselves up for future success by adding Clint Capela, Dewayne Dedmon and Skal Labissière. How success that translates into this season is unknown, however the Hawks are 1-0 with Dedmon back in the fold.

They’re more talented than their 15-39 record indicates, with injuries galore and a 25-game suspension to John Collins setting them back. They lost ten straight games twice this season, separated by just two wins.

Since January 14th however, the Hawks have gone 7-7, with some of their young players like Cam Reddish and De’Andre Hunter taking shape. They maintained a deep need for a center, and as mentioned, they got three earlier this week.

I’m not suggesting that the Hawks are set for a wild run at the playoffs, but they certainly have the ability to move out of the deep bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. Whether they like it or not. It remains a possibility that Trae Young will get shut down sometime after the All-Star break, which could certainly catapult them right back into the cellar.

State of the tank: This Tweet