2008–2009

• 47–35, lost in Conference semifinals

Offensive

• 110.9 (11th)

Defensive

• 109.1 (13th)

Returning Players:

• C–F: Al Horford
• G: Joe Johnson
• F: Josh Smith
• G: Maurice Evans
• C: Randolph Morris

Acquired Via Trade:

• G: Jamal Crawford (from Warriors)

Free Agents:

• G: Mike Bibby, (Unrestricted)
• G: Flip Murray, (Unrestricted)
• C: Zaza Pachulia, (Unrestricted)
• G: Thomas Gardner, (Restricted)
• F: Othello Hunter, (Restricted)
• F: Solomon Jones, (Restricted)
• G: Mario West, (Restricted)
• F: Marvin Williams, (Restricted)

Areas Of Strength

With Johnson, Smith, Williams (whom everyone expects the Hawks to re-sign) Horford and Crawford, Atlanta has a young core. Whether it's solid is another story. Johnson and Crawford are threats to score 25-plus on any given night, the mercurial Smith can be brilliant at times on both ends of the floor, Williams has developed into a serviceable forward and Horford is the kind of keep-your-head-down banger that every team loves to have. The second-year power forward may turn out to be the best of the bunch.

Needs Work:

After those five above, everything else is up in the air. Bibby's a free agent. Pachulia is a free agent. Their top scorer off the bench, Murray, is a free agent. Everyone after that is either raw (Morris) or always injured. Depth is a serious concern for the Hawks. If they choose not to resign Bibby or Pachulia, the Hawks could have a lot of cash to wave at this free agent class.

Two Stats That Matter:

• 14.0-- Josh Smith's career scoring average, the highest of any Hawk drafted in the last decade who is still with the team.
• 19-- Lowest overall pick for the Hawks since 2003, when they took Boris Diaw at No. 21

The Way To Go:

A center would fit the bill at No. 19. Our friends at Draft Express have the Hawks taking Ohio State pivot B.J. Mullens at that spot. But Mullens played only one season and, according to scouts, center is one of the two toughest positions to learn in the NBA. The other? Point guard. And lo and behold, the Hawks have a hole there, too, if they can't (or don't want to) re-sign Bibby. The Hawks have passed on point guards before (Chris Paul and Deron Williams come to mind in 2005) and it may be wise for them to at least entertain the thought of drafting one here. But with the 19th overall pick, would they be able to strike it rich and grab their point guard of the future there? Highly unlikely.

Fan Predictions

Expert Predictions