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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: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Power ranking the Atlanta Hawks division: The Hawks have only gotten better this offseason

It’s hard to imagine a team that went to the Eastern Conference Finals could be much better the following year. That’s where Trae Young and the Hawks stand, though, after you realize how many games they lost to injury last season. Atlanta finished with 293 games missed due to injury, ranking fourth in a season of increased injury.

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They should have De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish fully healthy this coming year. That alone will do wonders for their wing defense that was an issue down the stretch in the playoffs.

They won’t have Onyeka Okongwu until January thanks to shoulder surgery.

But he averaged just 12 minutes per game during the regular season and just over 11 minutes per in the playoffs. Atlanta should be able to temporarily replace him until he comes back.

What they will have a harder time doing is replacing Collins should they not match a max offer sheet. Some may argue whether or not he is worth that but you can’t deny his impact on the Hawks offense and his role in the turnaround as a whole.

As we’ve said before, it would be a shame to see Schlenk’s first pick with the Hawks leave.

Again though, reports are that won’t be the case and the focus of next season will be what the Hawks do with their plethora of talented wings.

For the time being, the Hawks can be selective in picking a suitable backup to Clint Capela.

Next. Atlanta Hawks: 3 veteran centers to fill the last need on the roster. dark

We could even see them wait for the first wave to get the best bargain but this just illustrates how good of a position they’ve been put in by management. It’s also why they top our (totally unbiased) list.