A pretty good team is looking to become a great team. That pretty much sums up the all-in move the Atlanta Hawks made when they acquired Dejounte Murray from the Spurs to pair in the backcourt with their young superstar, Trae Young.
Who can blame them as Young enters his fifth year in the league, ready to come into full bloom, having already averaged 25.3 PPG as a professional.
It is not just Young ready to take that leap as this team has been patiently building for years. De’Andre Hunter is 24, John Collins is 24 and Clint Capela is 28. Adding the 26-year-old Murray and all the athleticism and talent he brings helps to open all kinds of options on the offensive side of the court.
Collins is on the trade block, but even if he gets moved, expect another young and talented player who the Hawks see as a better fit taking his place.
Health has been an issue for both Hunter and elite sixth man Bogdan Bogdanovic for the last two years. Bogdanovic enters training camp as a question mark to start the season on time after offseason knee surgery, but is expected to be ready to go for the regular season.
Atlanta Hawks Season Outlook:
Projected Starting Lineup: PG Trae Young, SG Dejounte Murray, SF De’Andre Hunter, PF John Collins, C Clint Capela
Head coach: Nate McMillan
Notable Additions: SG Dejounte Murray, C Frank Kaminsky, G Justin Holiday, F Maurice Hakless
Draft Picks: AJ Griffin (16th overall)
Hawks Arena: State Farm Arena
Hawks NBA Schedule: NBA.com
2022-23 Atlanta Hawks NBA Futures Odds
- Odds to win the 2023 NBA Championship: 45/1
- Odds to win the 2022-23 Eastern Conference: 22/1
- Odds to win the 2022-23 Southeast Division: +160
- 2022-23 Regular Season Win Total: Over 45½ (-115)
- Odds to Make the Playoffs: Yes -245 | No +180
- Official website: nba.com/hawks
- Twitter Account : @ATLHawks
2022-23 Atlanta Hawks NBA Award Top Contenders
Regular Season MVP: Trae Young +4000
6th Man OTY: Bogdan Bogdanovic +3000
Rookie OTY: A.J. Griffin +2500
Liev Jackson NBA Season Prediction on Hawks:
This is a young team that made noise in the playoffs two years ago with for Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan taking the reigns. McMillan has his work cut out for him early in the season to help his young veterans mature and find their next level. Defensive question marks remain as do their ability to hit three-pointers.
But the addition of Murray and the remaining veterans gaining another year of experience changes everything and it puts the Hawks squarely in the mix for both the Eastern Conference title and an NBA Championship.
I love the long odds they’re getting, both collectively and individually. Best to take some calculated risks now as this is a team ready to take off.
Favorite bets for the season at current odds include:
- Odds to win the 2023 NBA Championship: 45/1
- Odds to win the 2022-23 Eastern Conference: 22/1
- Odds to win the 2022-23 Southeast Division: +160
- Regular Season MVP: Trae Young +4000
- 6th Man OTY: Bogdan Bogdanovic +3000
2021-22 Record: 43-39
My Record Prediction: 54-28
NBA Odds According to Bovada as of September, 2022
Bet on the Atlanta Hawks 2022-23 Season at Bovada Sportsbook.
