Soaring Down South
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Atlanta Hawks: Power ranking the Southeast Division ahead of free agency

By Joshua Buckhalter

ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 20: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks controls the ball as Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat defendsduring the second half of an NBA game at State Farm Arena on February 20, 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 Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 20: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks controls the ball as Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat defendsduring the second half of an NBA game at State Farm Arena on February 20, 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 Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Power ranking the Atlanta Hawks division: The Magic have talent but need to stay healthy

Which Orlando Magic is the real one? Is it the team that managed to finish in the top two in the division in two of the last three years or the one that finished last in the Southeast in six of the last nine years, including five straight from 2013-2017?

Injuries played a big part in last season’s demise and there are a lot of new faces on the roster, but history isn’t on their side.

That’s not to say they can’t be a tough matchup on any given night.

Wendell Carter Jr. seemed to acclimate himself well to his new digs and should look even better with a healthy Jonathan Isaac, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, playing beside him.

They are expected to trade Terrence Ross and Otto Porter is an unrestricted free agent who’s expected to move on.

However, Chuma Okeke has shown flashes and could be ready for an expanded role.

Orlando has some intriguing guard options as well, including this year’s fifth-overall pick Jalen Suggs. He joins last year’s first-round pick, Cole Anthony, and the oft-injured Markelle Fultz in a rotation that will cause some headaches if all can stay healthy. That’s been a tall task for Fultz and was for Anthony as a rookie.

There are wasted picks such as Mo Bamba and R.J. Hampton that are buried on the bench and the message sent by last year’s trades of Nikola Vucevic and Aaron Gordon was this team is rebuilding.

With them not being tied to any free agents of merit, that should carry over for at least another year.