The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hawks host media day, begin camp
Training camp kicks off today when the Hawks host media day. It comes just 24 hours before the team hosts its first official practice Tuesday. The Hawks had a relatively eventful offseason, which saw them trade one of their longest-tenured members, John Collins. They have plenty of questions to answer before they open their season on the road Oct. 25 against the Hornets. Here are five storylines heading into training camp:
1. How do the Hawks fill out their starting five?
The Hawks move into a new era that kicked off with the hiring of coach Quin Snyder and the trade of Collins. Snyder told the Atlanta Journal-constitution last week that he viewed the opening in the starting lineup as less of a spot and more of an opportunity for the team to step up as a whole to fill Collins’ absence. But the Hawks do need someone to step into the open spot at power forward.
They could elevate Jalen Johnson, who has been viewed as the heir presumptive, and lean on his athleticism. They could also look to Saddiq Bey, who is set to become a restricted free agent in 2024, to help them space the floor.
2. How different will the Hawks look with Snyder at the helm?
The Hawks hired Snyder with just 20 games left in the regular season. So, the new coach couldn’t make too many changes with the Hawks focused on making it into the postseason.
Now, Snyder has had seven months to get his feet under him. Snyder started to plant the seeds last season as he tried to emphasize good habits when it comes to spacing, to free up lanes for players to drive inside. That spacing also gave guys like Bey and Bogdan Bogdanovic more opportunities to knock shots down.
3. How will the Trae Youngdejounte Murray pairing take a step forward?
Last season, many wondered how Murray and Young would coexist as two ball-dominant guards. They needed time to work through the kinks.
Heading into their second year as backcourt partners, the two are committed to making their pairing work. The Hawks also showed their commitment when they offered Murray a fouryear $120 million extension in July.
Both guards have had constant communication with each other during the offseason and plenty of discussions with coaches.
“I think as much as it is a mistake in my mind to evaluate them or a team based on one year, it’s the same logic that would make you evaluate them on the second year,” Snyder told the AJC on Wednesday. “I think, fo (Young and Murray) their growth isn’t going to be linear.
“There’s gonna be all those moments where it’s harder, and those are the times that you get through it, whatever it is, and I think they’re both committed to doing that. I think our team is committed
to doing that. Now, that commitment always gets tested but I think you go into it with more understanding and maybe more determination.”
4. How do the Hawks improve their defense?
The Hawks finished the regular season with the ninth-worst defense in the NBA after making some moves last season that were expected to improve their defense. This season, Snyder looks for the team to have a collective commitment to improving on that side of the ball.
The team will continue to lean on forward De’andre Hunter, who it often matched up against an opponent’s best player. It will also expect more out of Murray, who fell a little short last season of what many expected him to be on the defensive end.
The Hawks added a pesky defender, Patty Mills, and have players like Johnson, fourth-year center Onyeka Okongwu and veteran center Clint Capela to continue making an impact in the front court.
5. Where do the Hawks stand in the Eastern Conference?
The Eastern Conference has a bit of an uncertain landscape and the Hawks will want to get off on the right foot. Many teams in the East made moves that shook things up.
The Bucks made a splash last Wednesday when they acquired Damian Lillard from the Trail Blazers as part of a three-team deal that included Jrue Holiday heading to Portland. Holiday did not leave the East for long as the Celtics acquired the two-time all-star.
The 76ers, despite having the reigning league MVP, continue to be shrouded with uncertainty as they navigate how they’ll move forward with or without James Harden.
The Hawks will face some tough tests as they try to return to the playoffs but the changes they’ve made over the last seven months have invigorated them.