Ranking the 7 worst Atlanta Hawks starters of the Trae Young era

3. Dewayne Dedmon (2018-20), started 60 total games

Center Dewayne Dedmon is another example of how far hard work and dedication can take you in the NBA. After going undrafted in the 2013 NBA Draft, Dedmon had to work his way into the veteran player he is now. Interestingly enough, after a slow start to his career, Dedmon had the two best seasons of his career with the Hawks. During Young’s rookie season in the league, Dedmon was the starting center for Atlanta and emerged as a consistent contributor.

That said, Dedmon certainly had his limitations as a player. You can actually make the argument that since the Dedmon seasons, the Hawks have drastically improved at the center position with Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu. It was clear that if Atlanta wanted to make a jump in the Eastern Conference, they would have to improve in the frontcourt next to John Collins. The next season, they did that by acquiring Clint Capela.

Dedmon did what he has done for the better part of his career with the Hawks. He was asked to play a role and did so to the best of his ability. Though, largely due to his limited ceiling, Dedmon struggled to be the difference-maker that Young needed early on in his career.