NBA Preseason Team Preview: Atlanta Hawks – Can Trae Young Redeem Himself? Top Pick Risa She’s Performance Worth Watching

The NBA preseason is about to kick off, and today we will introduce one of the Eastern Conference’s traditional powerhouses, the Atlanta Hawks.

Team Recap from Last Season

The Hawks finished last season with a record of 36 wins and 46 losses, placing them 10th in the Eastern Conference. In the subsequent play-in tournament, they lost to the Bulls and were directly eliminated from playoff contention. With two All-Star players, Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, the Hawks’ performance was disappointing. Trade rumors surrounding the two main stars persisted throughout the season. Ultimately, in the summer draft lottery, the Hawks secured the first overall pick, solidifying their commitment to rebuilding.

Offseason Changes

The Hawks used their first overall pick to select Risa She in the offseason. Despite it being a down year for the draft, securing the top pick still brought great excitement to the team. The Hawks traded Dejounte Murray to acquire Daniels, Nance Jr., and two first-round picks. However, they were unable to trade Trae Young, despite their preference to do so. Additionally, the Hawks acquired veteran Zeller and Winder. On the other hand, players like Saddiq Bey, Griffin, and Karl-Faulkner left the team. Overall, the Hawks’ offseason lacked a clear direction.

Outlook for the New Season

Selecting 19-year-old Risa She in the summer draft was a bold move for the Hawks. In the summer league, Risa She’s performance was average, but he showed significant improvement in the first two preseason games. Besides Risa She, Trae Young’s performance this season will also be closely watched. His offensive capabilities over the past few seasons are undeniable, but his inconsistency in crucial games and weak defense have been widely criticized.

Beyond the core duo, Nance Jr. and Daniels, acquired from the Pelicans, will be important rotation players. Returning players Hunter and Capela are expected to secure starting positions. However, as mentioned earlier, the Hawks remain in a state of flux without trading Trae Young, with the possibility of major trades that could lead to a full rebuild. Therefore, the Hawks are likely to experience significant turbulence this season.

Predicted Starting Lineup

Trae Young, Risa She, Hunter, Capela, Daniels

Predicted Standing

Eastern Conference 9-12th place