Soaring Down South
Fansided

3 Hawks that earned untouchable status, 4 that should be cut loose

By Josh Cornelissen

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 22: Onyeka Okongwu #17 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts to a call during the second half against the Orlando Magic at State Farm Arena on December 22, 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 - DECEMBER 22: Onyeka Okongwu #17 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts to a call during the second half against the Orlando Magic at State Farm Arena on December 22, 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
AJ Griffin, Atlanta Hawks. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Untouchable No. 2: AJ Griffin

AJ Griffin was a top recruit of the Duke Blue Devils but suffered an injury just prior to the season. He missed the start of the year, and when he did return he lacked the athleticism that drove him to the top of recruiting rankings. Once considered a top-5 pick, Griffin fell to 16th overall where the Hawks snatched him up in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Griffin showed early on that another offseason to heal and train allowed him to regain that athletic pop, and he became a key rotation player for the Hawks for most of the season. He even earned his way onto the court for some key crunch time minutes, leading to not one but two memorable game-winning shots:

The 3-point shot for Griffin was a weapon from day one, as the rookie shot 39 percent on 3.6 3-point attempts per game (6.7 attempts per 36 minutes). He can pull up and shoot on the move, giving the Hawks another element to their offense.

Griffin has work to do on defense, as he was fairly mistake prone, but he has the tools to be a positive defender alongside his floor-spacing and finishing on offense. As the Hawks ask hard questions about the rest of the rotation, Griffin looks like part of the young guard that is here to stay in Atlanta.