The Hawks will enter training camp for the 2016-17 season next week with a roster of 20 players for 15 spots. Unlike previous years, the key question of this preseason will be who will not make the final roster. There are 16 players under guaranteed or substantial partial guaranteed contracts.
The Hawks had an eventful offseason. The major changes to the roster came in what can be basically summarized as two trades – Dwight Howard for Al Horford and Dennis Schroder and Taurean Prince for Jeff Teague.
The Hawks lost Horford (free agency), Teague (trade), Kirk Hinrich (free agency) and Lamar Patterson (waivers) from the end-of-season roster. Kent Bazemore and Kris Humphries were re-signed and Jarrett Jack and Howard were added as unrestricted free agents. The Hawks also obtained the draft rights to Prince, drafted DeAndre Bembry and signed Malcolm Delaney from overseas.
Here is a breakdown of the roster that will open training camp with media day on Monday followed by three days of workouts at the University of Georgia.
Dwight Howard
Position: Center
Age: 30
2016-17 salary: $23,180,275
Last season: He averaged 13.7 points and 11.8 rebounds in 71 games with the Rockets before he opted out of his contract and signed a three-year, $70.5 million deal with the Hawks.
This season: He represents a major change in the Hawks' frontcourt, offensively and defensively. The health of his back and his willingness to accept his role without distraction will be things to watch carefully throughout the season. He could be game-changer if he plays to his eight-time All-Star level.
Paul Millsap
Position: Forward
Age: 31
2016-17 salary: $20,072,033
Last season: He was the Hawks' best player and averaged 17.1 points and 9.0 rebounds in 81 games. He made his third straight Eastern Conference All-Star team.
This season: He will most certainly opt out of the final year contract after this season, a player option for $21,472,407, and become a free agent. He will be counted on heavily to be a leader on and off the floor. The Hawks will need him to continue to be an offensive and defensive threat and stretch the floor.
Kent Bazemore
Position: Guard/Forward
Age: 27
2016-17 salary: $15,730,338
Last season: He averaged 11.6 points and 5.1 rebounds in 75 games of a breakout season as the Hawks' starting small forward. He signed a four-year, $70 million contract was a free agent to return to Atlanta.
This season: The Hawks need him to continue his upward trajectory and take on the expanded role that comes with being the third-highest paid player on the roster. His shooting tailed off last season, especially from 3-point range where he shot 39 percent before the All-Star break and 29 percent after the break. Consistency will be key.
Tiago Splitter
Position: Center
Age: 31
2016-17 salary: $8,550,000
Last season: He averaged 5.6 points and 3.3 rebounds in 36 games of an injury-marred first season with the Hawks. Hip surgery ended his season.
This season: He enters the final year of his contract and will be one of seven Hawks will who definitely become unrestricted free agents. He continues to rehab from the season-ending procedure but should be ready for the start of the season. He could be brought along slowly. The Hawks counted on the rebounding and intangibles last season and, if healthy, that would be the case this season.
Kyle Korver
Position: Guard
Age: 35
2016-17 salary: $5,239,437
Last season: He averaged 9.2 points and 3.2 rebounds in 80 games. He had a slow start to the season coming off surgeries to his ankle and elbow. His shooting improved as the season progressed.
This season: He enters the final year of his contract and will become an unrestricted free agent. The Hawks will count on his leadership, ability to play in the system and, of course, his outside shooting. If the addition of Howard does lead to more open 3-point shots, he could be a beneficiary.
Kris Humphries
Position: Forward/Center
Age: 31
2016-17 salary: $4,000,000
Last season: He averaged 6.5 points and 4.1 rebounds in 53 games for the Wizards, Suns and Hawks. He averaged 6.4 points and 3.4 rebounds in 21 regular-season games for Hawks. He had an impact when on the floor during the postseason.
This season: He will become an unrestricted free agent after the season after signing a one-year, $4 million contract this summer. The Hawks wanted to bring him back after his production and flexibility in the frontcourt. His strength in grabbing rebounds will be a plus as will be his ability to shoot from the 3-point line.
Thabo Sefolosha
Position: Forward
Age: 32
2016-17 salary: $3,850,000
Last season: He averaged 6.4 points and 4.5 rebounds in 75 games last season while coming back from the broken leg that abruptly the previous season.
This season: He enters the final year of his contract and will become an unrestricted free agent following the season. Fully healthy, he will be part of a wing rotation, especially defensively, counted on as the Hawks transition to young players including two first-round draft picks.
Mike Scott
Position: Forward
Age: 28
2016-17 salary: $3,333,334
Last season: He averaged 6.2 points and 2.7 rebounds in 75 games with his production dropping from the previous two seasons.
This season: He enters the final year of his contract and will become an unrestricted free agent. He will fight for minutes behind Millsap in a frontcourt that includes Humphries and others. His ability to have a hot shooting hand from the outside can be a plus. His legal troubles could also be an issue with a trial on drug charges and a possible suspension looming.
Dennis Schroder
Position: Guard
Age: 23
2016-17 salary: $2,708,582
Last season: He averaged 11.0 points and 4.4 assists in 80 games. Confidence grew in the guard has he played down the stretch, over starter Jeff Teague, on several occasions.
This season: The job of starting point guard now belongs to him as Teague was traded in the summer. His maturity, ball control and shooting will need to continue to show improvement for the Hawks to be successful. He is eligible for a contract extension on his rookie deal. The team will have to make a decision by the end of October or he will become a restricted free agent.
Malcolm Delaney
Position: Guard
Age: 27
2016-17 salary: $2,500,000
Last season: He played for Russian team Lokomotiv Kuban the past two seasons, part of five years overseas after playing at Virginia Tech, and averaged 16.3 points, 5.5 assists and 3.4 rebounds in 31 Euroleague games last season.
This season: He signed a two-year, $5 million deal this summer with the Hawks, who wanted to bring him to Atlanta last season. He will serve as a backup to Schroder, especially while Jarrett Jack rehabs from a knee injury, but could also see time at shooting guard.
Taurean Prince
Position: Forward
Age: 22
2016-17 salary: $2,318,280
Last season: He averaged 15.9 points and 6.1 rebounds as a senior at Baylor before was selected by the Jazz with the 12th overall pick and his rights acquired by the Hawks in a draft-night trade.
This season: The rookie figures to have a still-to-be-determined role with the Hawks this season. He could certainly earn a role in the wing rotation. Coaches and players have been impressed by his NBA-ready body and energy.
Tim Hardaway Jr.
Position: Guard
Age: 24
2016-17 salary: $2,281,605
Last season: He averaged 6.4 points and 1.7 rebounds in 51 games after limited action to start the season as he recovered from a wrist injury and learned the Hawks system.
This season: He earned more playing time as last season progressed with his athleticism and outside shooting. The Hawks are hoping he can continue that trajectory and become a regular part of the shooting guard rotation. He is eligible for a contract extension on his rookie deal. The team will have to make a decision by the end of October or he will become a restricted free agent.
DeAndre Bembry
Position: Forward
Age: 22
2016-17 salary: $1,499,760
Last season: He averaged 17.4 points and 7.8 rebounds as a junior at St. Joseph before he was selected by the Hawks with the 21st overall pick.
This season: The Hawks are encouraged by his versatility. The wing rotation is crowded and it's not out of the question that he could spend time in the NBA Development League to get playing time, a common practice of the Hawks.
Mike Muscala
Position: Forward/Center
Age: 25
2016-17 salary: $1,015,696 ($507,848 guaranteed)
Last season: He averaged 3.2 points and 1.9 rebounds in 60 games last season and was in and out of the rotation.
This season: He enters the final year of his contract after he was drafted in the second round by the Hawks and joined the team after a stint overseas. The center position is crowded but he is the most versatile of the big men with his outside shooting. He can stretch the floor and play some power forward.
Edy Tavares
Position: Center
Age: 24
2016-17 salary: $1,000,000
Last season: He averaged 2.3 points and 1.9 rebounds in just 11 games as a rookie. He spent most of the season going back and forth to the D-League. He averaged 9.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.3 blocks.
This season: A 7-foot-3, he has the size to be a factor in the post but he is very much still learning the game of basketball and the speed of the NBA level. He has a non-guaranteed year on his contract for the 2017-18 season. There is a decision to make with 16 players under guaranteed or significant partial guaranteed contracts and 15 roster spots. Barring a trade or injury, he may have an uphill battle making the roster.
Jarrett Jack
Position: Guard
Age: 32
2016-17 salary: $980,431
Last season: He averaged 12.8 points, 7.4 assists and 4.2 rebounds in 32 games with the Nets before a knee injury ended his season.
This season: He will become an unrestricted free agent after he signed a one-year contract with the Hawks at the veteran's minimum this summer. He will be brought along slowly from the injury but expects to be fully ready by training camp. His leadership figures to be a valuable asset with Schroder the new starter and Delaney playing his first NBA season.
Matt Costello
Position: Forward
Age: 23
2016-17 salary: $980,431 (50,000 guaranteed)
Last season: He averaged 10.7 points and 8.2 rebounds as a senior at Michigan State. He went undrafted and played for the Hawks' entry in the Las Vegas Summer League
This season: Costello impressed the Hawks during his pre-draft workouts. There is likely not a roster spot available but he has gotten the benefit of working out daily with an NBA team and will get exposure during the preseason.
Will Bynum
Position: Guard
Age: 32
2016-17 salary: Non-guaranteed
Last season: The veteran of eight NBA seasons played in China last season. He last played in the NBA in 2015 on two 10-day contracts with the Wizards.
This season: He got a training camp deal with the Hawks and is a longshot to make the roster. He will get exposure for a possible deal elsewhere.
Ryan Kelly
Position: Forward
Age: 25
2016-17 salary: Non-guaranteed
Last season: He averaged 4.2 points and 3.4 rebounds in 36 games with the Lakers last season, his final with the team after being a second-round pick in 2013.
This season: He got a training camp deal with the Hawks and is a longshot to make the roster. He will get exposure for a possible shot with another NBA team.
Richard Solomon
Position: Forward
Age: 24
2016-17 salary: Non-guaranteed
Last season: He spent last season playing in Japan. He has played in the D-League with the Oklahoma City after being undrafted out of California in 2014.
This season: He got a training camp deal with the Hawks and is a longshot to make the roster. He is another player who will benefit from the exposure to an NBA team and preseason games.
About the Author
