The Atlanta Hawks and Brooklyn Nets tip off their regular season in a showdown on Wednesday.
Both teams are in transition. But whereas the Hawks have a true star in Trae Young and – at least seemingly – a plan to remain competitive going forward, the Nets’ best players would be complimentary pieces in ideal situations.
That does not mean the Hawks can take the Nets lightly, though.
They could end the season with the NBA’s top scorer, with fourth-year guard Cam Thomas a veritable walking bucket. That makes Hawks guard Dyson Daniels a potential X-factor.
Dyson Daniels, Cam Thomas likely x-factors in Hawks-Nets tilt
Thomas averaged 22.5 points (on 55.4% true shooting) in 2023-24. He averaged 14.8 PPG during the preseason, tying him with teammate Cam Johnson for the team lead. But Thomas is a volume shooter who can get hot at any moment.
He offers a perfect test for Daniels’ reputation as a defensive stopper.
The 6-foot-7 Daniels is a big guard. And he is not shy about touting his defensive prowess, setting a goal of making First Team All-Defense this season.
Daniels v. Thomas figures to be one of the clashes that determine the game, assuming they get matched up often. Hawks’ head coach Quin Snyder has played his decision about the starting lineup close to the vest.
Daniels makes for a prime candidate to at least see a large chunk of minutes at 2.
When he does, he and Thomas should put on a show. Even when Daniels’ uncertain offense is up against Thomas’ disinterested defense, the battle should be one to watch.
Hawks PG eras square off in season opener
Another X-factor battle to watch will (obviously) be between Young and former Hawks guard Dennis Schroder, who spent five seasons with the organization from 2013-14 through 2017-18.
Schroder is a feisty player who enjoys getting under opponents’ skin. Young – who can get chatty with the officials at times – must maintain focus and not get stuck in whatever mental tactics his counterpart deploys.
Notably, Young and Schroder are 6-6 in their head-to-head matchups.
Watch the wings
This game will feature some extremely versatile forwards between Jalen Johnson of the Hawks and Cameron Johnson of the Nets. They could each be X-factors and it goes deeper for both sides.
The Hawks also boast De’Andre Hunter and rookie No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher -- potentially the biggest X-factor of them all -- who could be competing for one starting spot in the early going of the season. The Nets have Dorian Finney-Smith, a veteran who provides steady two-way play.
While the advantage lies with the Hawks on paper, do not discount what the Nets group can do.