Anyone for the Toronto Raptors to worry about from the Southeast Division?

ATLANTA HAWKS

Last season’s record: 24 – 58

This season forecast: 23 – 59

Welcome: Trae Young, Kevin Huerter, Omari Spellman, Jeremy Lin, Justin Anderson, and Alex Len

Farewell:  Dennis Schroder and Mike Muscala

The Atlanta Hawks were the bottom feeder of the Eastern Conference and the bottom four of the whole NBA last season.

The re-build has officially begun with a multitude of changes being made to the team. This starts with the parting of Mike Budenholzer (who had led the Atlanta Hawks’ resurgence in year’s prior) to be replaced by Lloyd Pierce, who is an exciting young coach who the team is hoping can gel the current pieces together to make another run happen.

In addition, the Hawks have an exciting young rookie in #5 overall pick Trae Young, who is the only player in history to lead the NCAA in both points and assists.

Young will be running alongside one of the surprise players from last season in Taurean Prince, who was a standout player from a team that was otherwise not very exciting.

The team will continue to invest in their rebuild. Expect to see older established players like Kent Bazemore to take a back seat while the franchise focuses on the development of players like Prince and Young.

The Hawks have made a smart decision though in giving Vince Carter another chance at his possible* farewell season. His veteran leadership will be much-needed in helping keep this promising group of youngsters grounded.

There is not much to look forward to in the Atlanta Hawks this season, it will, however, be another chance to reflect on the importance of Vince Carter to the Toronto Raptors when he visits Scotiabank Arena twice this season.