By: Christian S Rauh (Follow Christian on Twitter @ChristianSRauh)
Welcome to a new segment we are trying out here at BenchCaster.com. Here at Bench Talk, we will discuss all 30 NBA teams, in there current state, and break them down. We will talk offseason additions and departures, as well as the NBA draft pick ups. We will then talk about our predictions here at BenchCaster, and where we believe the team will be at the end of the season. We will also talk about big contract players, and upcoming free agents. We are getting in depth, the way any fan should.
Be sure to check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well, for we will be commenting with you on all these stories, we want to hear from you!
So without anymore distractions lets get down to it!
Atlanta Hawks
- 2016-17 Record: 43–39 (.524)
- Result: Lost NBA Round 1 against Washington Wizards 2-4
2017 NBA Draft:
- Round 1, Pick 19: John Collins, PF, 6’10”, 235lbs, Wake Forrest
- Round 2, Pick 41: Tyler Dorsey, SG, 6’4″, 195lbs, Oregon
- Round 2, Pick 60: Alpha Kaba, PF, 6’10”, 225lbs, KK Mega Leks (Serbia)
Key Offseason Transitions:
- Traded Dwight Howard and #31 pick to Charlotte Hornets for Miles Plumlee, Marco Belinelli & #41 pick.
- Traded Ryan Kelly to Houston for Cash Considerations
- Waived Jamal Crawford & Diamond Stone
- Resigned F Mike Muscala (2 yr./10mil.)
Predicted Rotation: (As of August 7th, 2017)
- Point Guard
- Dennis Schroder (4 years remaining)
- Malcom Delaney (1 year remaining)
- Shooting Guard
- Kent Bazemore (3 years remaining)
- Marco Bellnelli (1 year remaining)
- Small Forward
- Taurean Prince (4 years remaining)
- DeAndre Bembry (4 years remaining)
- Nicolas Brushing (3 years remaining)
- Power Forward
- John Collins (5 years remaining) *Rookie*
- Ehsan Ilyasova (1 year remaining)
- Center
- Miles Plumlee (3 years remaining)
- Mike Muscala (2 years remaining)
It was only a matter of time until we started talking the word “Rebuild” in Atlanta, but thats only coming from the fans and the media. Atlanta’s front office refuses to give in to the phrase “rebuild”.
The Atlanta Hawks have hired a new GM in Travis Schlenk who came from Golden State, and looks to do the same in ATL, then he did with the Warriors, and thats build not only a championship team, but a dynasty. In order to do so, they have a long way to go. But first things first for Schlenk and the Hawks front office, don’t call it a “Rebuild!” Schlenk wants to put a competitive team on the floor, and it seems he believes he can do this this season. Here at BenchCasters we think a little differently, and we think a “Rebuild” is a perfect recipe for the Atlanta Hawks.
The Hawks seem like they are going in the right direction for the “Rebuild” when trading Dwight Howard to Charlotte. It would have been a little better, if they could of unloaded more money, but in the transaction, they acquired 3 years/39.5 million dollar contract of Miles Plumlee. Miles is definitely younger than Dwight, so the he does embrace the change inside the Phillips arena.
I sat down and spoke with Atlanta Native, and a member here at BenchCasters, Jarae Thurmond about the outlook on the Atlanta Hawks, and his thoughts so far through this offseason.
We first discussed the NBA draft, focusing on first round pick John Collins out of Wake Forrest. ” I really like John Collins, he has so much talent, and is exceeding expectations already, its a good sign for better things to come.” Thurmond reports. It is no question the John Collins is exceeding expectations. During the NBA Summer League this year, it has appeared that the Hawks have acquired a steal at the 19th position. Collins was named to the Summer League first team for his outstanding performance in Las Vegas. He averaged 15.4 points, and 9.2 rebounds with a 59.3% from the field in his 5 games this summer. Thurmond predicts a big season from John Collins. “Look to watch John Collins grow, he’s gonna continue to surprise a lot of people.”
We then moved on to the whole “Rebuild” situation going on in Atlanta, and Thurmond had a lot to say about the direction of the franchise. “The new GM is doing it right. We have 5 first round picks in the next two years, thats how a rebuild is done.” With John Collins drafted this year, already making noise, and the addition of Taurean Prince last season, the Hawks are in a good spot to continue this build. Looking out the next two years, Atlanta will have both there own first round picks in 2018 and 2019, as well as a 2018 first rounder from both Houston and Minnesota, and a 2019 first round pick from Cleveland.
I ended my delightful conversation with Jarae on how he felt the team would finish next season, and if he saw them as a playoff team. He might be a fan, but his answer might shock you. “I hope not, you can’t build in the draft if you not in the lottery. The Hawks are in basketball purgatory, they are to good for the lottery, and not good enough to make a splash deep into the playoffs. Its frustrating always drafting around 19. I hope the long playoff streak the Hawks have stops, so we can look ahead.” I believe he hit the nail right on the head here. Jarae is speaking as a deep fan who not only wants there team to succeed, but to succeed for a very long time. Unfortunately with the Atlanta Hawks, patience might be mandatory.
A special thanks goes out to Jarae Thurmond on taking his time to sit down with me and discuss the outlook on the Hawks, it was a blast, and I’m looking forward to it very soon.
You will be able to find more from Jarae Thurmond, Christian Rauh, and all the Benchcasters, at BenchCasters.com
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