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Atlanta Hawks: 3 keys to a successful season in 2021-22

By Joshua Buckhalter

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 14: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks attempts a shot against KZ Okpala #11 of the Miami Heat during the first half as there was a malfunction with the shot clock at State Farm Arena on October 14, 2021 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, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 14: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks attempts a shot against KZ Okpala #11 of the Miami Heat during the first half as there was a malfunction with the shot clock at State Farm Arena on October 14, 2021 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) /
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Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Hawks key to a successful ‘21-22 No. 2: The highest-paid players need to perform like it

Atlanta handed out a lot of money this season. $446 million in new money to be exact. That will keep the foursome of Young, Collins, Capela, and Kevin Huerter together until 2025 unless a trade comes down the pipeline. This means, despite the Hawks message being one of sacrifice for the team, these four will be expected to carry the load going forward.

The Hawks put nine lineups on the floor last season that featured their newly-minted “core four”.

Of those, three of them saw more than 100 minutes together. They appeared in 44 games together total, averaging a very modest 35.6 points in 14.5 minutes per contest. It’s imperative that the Hawks get more value out of the group that was plus-2.5 on average.

Related Story. Options just another reminder of swelling cap sheet. light

A lot of that will come down to the individual performances of the four bankrolled Hawks. But their experience together, along with being more comfortable in a second year with Nate McMillan as head coach, should go a long way towards aiding that. Hopefully not having so many players shuffling in and out of the lineup will make it all easier.

In the end, though, critics will always follow the money.

The Hawks will always rely on their depth. It allowed them to do what many would have thought impossible last season. However, the NBA is a star-driven league and, on a team-by-team basis, that comes down to the guys hauling in the most dough.

You could lump Gallinari and Bogdan Bogdanovic with that group as well. They’ll account for $38 million against the cap.

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