The Atlanta Hawks have made a wholesale change to their roster. Whereas administration stated that they weren’t stepping into for a significant roster overhaul, buying and selling away one starter for an additional will not be small. Neither is the truth that they misplaced 4 bench gamers, three by way of free company and the fourth was a part of the Dejounte Murray commerce.
Nonetheless, it was the Murray commerce that has doubtlessly uncovered the Hawks’ frontcourt as having a possible lack of depth. The participant who was used within the Murray commerce was the Hawks’ reserve energy ahead, Danilo Gallinari.
Not solely did Gallinari play 25.6 minutes per sport for the franchise final season, however he additionally began 18 video games when John Collins was out. He stuffed in admirably when the beginning energy ahead was injured. Gallinari was additionally an important member of the second unit when he was on the ground.
The Atlanta Hawks are very skinny on the energy ahead place.
Behind Collins, on the depth chart, the Hawks have Onyeka Okongwu however the third-year man performs the pivot place. The truth that he has been engaged on his leap shot would possibly imply that Okongwu can play some minutes on the 4.
The Hawks signed Frank Kaminsky however his lack of protection might imply much less court docket time than common. He may partly play the Gallinari function from final season however he isn’t the strolling mismatch that the large Italian was.
Maurice Harkless additionally has the athleticism and talent to play the 4 however lacks the dimensions required to play towards among the greater fours. That is the place the Hawks are hoping that Jalen Johnson can turn into a high quality reserve for the franchise.
Whereas he is likely one of the high three prospects throughout the Hawks franchise, they are going to be in search of extra than simply Johnson being a prospect. They are going to be in search of the sophomore to comprehend some extra of his potential and show that the Hawks made the correct calls over the offseason.