The time is finally here. Today, we have NBA games that actually count, and in two days, the Hawks will take their home floor for their first game of the 2021-2022 campaign as they host the Dallas Mavericks. It’s an exciting time in Atlanta; the Hawks are expected to be one of the top teams in the East after making the Conference Finals a few months ago. They are loaded with talent up and down their roster, and they just announced the 17-man group they will roll with to begin the season. Take a look:
- Bogdan Bogdanovic
- Clint Capela
- John Collins
- Sharife Cooper (Two-Way)
- Gorgui Dieng
- Solomon Hill
- Kevin Huerter
- De’Andre Hunter
- Jalen Johnson
- Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot
- Skylar Mays (Two-Way)
- Onyeka Okongwu
- Cam Reddish
- Lou Williams
- Delon Wright
- Trae Young
The entire core of last year’s Hawks team returns with a few additions. Jalen Johnson and Sharife Cooper came to Atlanta as the team’s two draft picks. I don’t imagine Cooper will get much work with the NBA squad, given how much depth the Hawks have at point guard, but Johnson has enough talent to work his way into the nightly rotation. Delon Wright was added via trade and will likely serve as the primary backup point guard along with Lou Williams. Wright also has the versatility and length to play shooting guard, so he should have a significant role this season. Gorgui Dieng and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot were added during free agency. Dieng will serve as the Hawks backup center, at least until Okongwu returns from injury. I don’t expect Luwawu-Cabarrot to see the floor much.
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