Since reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in 2020-21, the Atlanta Hawks have made the NBA Play-In Tournament for three consecutive seasons, qualifying for the NBA Playoffs twice. It has been easy to predict that the Hawks would make the NBA Playoffs Tournament at the start of each NBA season.
Will it be different this year? An ESPN panel made projections for the upcoming NBA season and in their projection of the Eastern Conference standings, they have the Atlanta Hawks finishing 9th with a 31-41 record and playing the Chicago Bulls in the play-in tournament for the second straight season.
Here’s how ESPN projects the Eastern Conference standings:
1. Boston Celtics: 61-21
2. New York Knicks: 53-29
3. Philadelphia 76ers: 52-30
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: 50-32
5. Milwaukee Bucks: 49-33
6. Orlando Magic: 47-35
7. Indiana Pacers: 46-36
8. Miami Heat: 45-37
9. Atlanta Hawks: 31-51
10. Chicago Bulls: 30-52
11. Toronto Raptors: 26-56
12. Charlotte Hornets: 21-61
13. Brooklyn Nets: 22-60
14. Detroit Pistons: 20-62
15. Washington Wizards: 17-65
This is a really pessimistic projection for the Hawks this season. Their win total currently stands at 35.5 fanduel and this projection is well below that.
While I don’t think the Hawks are contenders this season, I think 31 wins is too low a projection for them. Trae Young Atlanta still leads the offense and the Hawks have made an effort to address their weaknesses from last season. Atlanta has potentially improved their defense and they’ve gotten bigger. Dyson Daniels has the potential to be a top two-way player for the Hawks and could be an ideal starting guard to slot next to Young if he can score shots on offense. Jalen Johnson took a big step forward last year and if he can stay healthy he could be even better. Atlanta has veterans like Bogdan Bogdanovic, De’Andre Hunter, Clint Capela, Onyeka Okongwu, and Larry Nance to provide depth. Another X-factor could be the contribution that second-year point guard Kobe Bufkin can make this year. Bufkin has had some injuries but has shined when given the opportunity. The Hawks selected Zaccharie Risacher With the first pick, he has a chance to bring size on defense and shooting on the other end of the floor. Is he ready to contribute from day one?
Young is one of the best point guards and shot creators in the NBA and the Hawks should still be fine without Dejounte Murray. Can they improve enough on defense and develop their younger players? If so, the Hawks should be able to surpass the 35.5 win total.
