Preseason is a time for players and staff to feel things out, determining what exactly the opening night rotation should look like.
While the nightly group could certainly change, even after the regular season begins, it's difficult to ignore clear trends during exhibition play.
In Atlanta's first outing - a home battle with the Memphis Grizzlies - they went nine men deep in the first half. Asa Newell - Atlanta's second-year forward expected to land a larger role this season - was the ninth man off the bench.
The next game, however, looked very different for Newell. It certainly wasn't similar for Zuby Ejiofor, either.
The rookie was prioritized in Atlanta's second preseason game
It was hard to just brush past Ejiofor not seeing any action until over halfway through the third quarter in the Hawks' preseason opener.
As a late first-round pick, he wasn't expected to carry a major role, especially on a team that's aiming to compete in the talented Eastern Conference, but a limited spot in the nightly rotation wasn't at all out of the picture.
If a player isn't suiting up at any time during the first half of a preseason game, especially the first one at home, they likely aren't going to suddenly emerge into the main rotation once the regular season gets going.
If this latest outing was any indicator, though, that trend could be broken.
Ejiofor didn't just enter the rotation in a minimal way against the Spurs - he saw action in the first quarter.
His outlook from the first game to the next couldn't be more different. Now, there's a valid question regarding his rookie season role.
Jalen Johnson - Atlanta's All-NBA forward entering his sixth season in the league - was out for this matchup, so maybe that had something to do with them electing for Ejiofor early. Still, his entrance was notable, as it's clear the staff hasn't forgotten about him.
Atlanta's frontcourt depth is one of their biggest strengths
Last season, especially as the games got more and more competitive, the Hawks' biggest weakness was exposed. Behind Johnson, they severely lacked forward depth.
Zaccharie Risacher couldn't be relied upon in a major bench role. Neither could Corey Kispert. Atlanta knew where they needed to improve.
Adding Ejiofor to a room that already featured Aaron Wiggins, Asa Newell and Mo Gueye was a calculated decision.
Whichever route they take - Newell or Ejiofor as the last guy off the bench - should age as a smart decision. They can't really go wrong here.
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