Have the Atlanta Hawks left themselves too thin at the power forward spot?

The Atlanta Hawks have made a wholesale change to their roster. While management said that they were not going in for a major roster overhaul, trading away one starter for another is not small. Nor is the fact that they lost four bench players, three through free agency and the fourth was part of the Dejounte Murray trade.

However, it was the Murray trade that has potentially exposed the Hawks’ frontcourt as having a potential lack of depth. The player who was used in the Murray trade was the Hawks’ reserve power forward, Danilo Gallinari.

Not only did Gallinari play 25.6 minutes per game for the franchise last season, but he also started 18 games when John Collins was out. He filled in admirably when the starting power forward was injured. Gallinari was also the most important member of the second unit when he was on the floor.

The Atlanta Hawks are very thin at the power forward position.

Behind Collins, on the depth chart, the Hawks have Onyeka Okongwu but the third-year man plays the pivot position. The fact that he has been working on his jump shot might mean that Okongwu can play some minutes at the four.

The Hawks signed Frank Kaminsky but his lack of defense may mean less court time than usual. He could partly play the Gallinari role from last season but he is not the walking mismatch that the big Italian was.

Maurice Harkless also has the athleticism and ability to play the four but lacks the size required to play against some of the bigger fours. This is where the Hawks are hoping that Jalen Johnson can develop into a quality reserve for the franchise.

While he is one of the top three prospects within the Hawks franchise, they will be looking for more than just Johnson being a prospect. They will be looking for the sophomore to realize some more of his potential and prove that the Hawks made the right calls over the offseason.