Hawks training camp: Five things to watch

The Hawks enter camp with 14 players under contract, including the non-guaranteed deals of Mike Scott and Shelvin Mack. They have brought in five training-camp invitees, including former Hawks Damien Wilkins and Royal Ivey. The Hawks can carry a maximum of 15 players on the final cut-down day, by 5 p.m. Oct. 28. General manager Danny Ferry likes to carry 14 players to provide flexibility to add another player during the season. However, the health of Lou Williams could necessitate a 15th player to start the season.

Much of the roster likely is set, but there are two spots up for grabs — point guard and a big guard/small forward spot. The two players on the bubble are Mack, who will be pushed by the veteran Ivey, and Jared Cunningham, who will be challenged by Wilkins and fellow invitee James Johnson.

Availability of Williams

With training camp about to start, the Hawks have not offered a timeline on the return of Williams. The sixth-man tore the ACL in his right knee in January. It’s an injury that can take nine to 12 months to fully recover. The Hawks are pleased with Williams’ rehabilitation, but no timeline indicates that he won’t be ready to take part in Day 1 of training camp and most likely not by the regular-season opener.

Williams has rehabbed at the Hawks’ facility, but he has not taken part in informal pickup games. He likely will need a month of real basketball activity and practice to be ready for NBA games. When, perhaps during training camp, he is able to start such workouts the clock on his return will start.

Wilkins is a candidate to make the team if Williams is not ready to return.

New coach, new system

With a new head coach and staff comes the implementation of new offensive and defensive systems. While players can be at the team facility for workouts during the offseason they cannot work with coaches. The implementation of the playbook begins at the start of camp. Center Al Horford said he expects the new system to be much like that of San Antonio, where Budenholzer spent 19 years as an assistant coach.

Preseason games will be the prime opportunity to implement the systems. Installing the systems, determining a regular lineup and creating chemistry on a rebuilt roster will be more important than game results.

Minutes for the big men

Horford will resume his position at center, and the team’s major offseason acquisition Paul Millsap will play power forward. However, the rebuilt roster features several other big men. The team signed veteran Elton Brand, who will play mostly back-up center. The Hawks also brought in European Pero Antic and Gustavo Ayon, the MVP of the FIBA Americas tournament. Either can play center or forward. Scott returns for his second season. He had a busy offseason working on his body and is said to have lost 15 pounds and added a good deal of muscle.

Training camp will start to determine how the limited number of minutes will be divided. Finding time for each player will be Budenholzer’s challenge. The coach figures to have a deep bench. He will need to get a sense of the capabilities of each player. The Hawks also want to continue the development for young players as they build toward the future.

So many new faces

For the second consecutive season the Hawks have a rebuilt roster. Last season began with nine new players. This season begins with at least seven new players and the loss of organizational cores Josh Smith and Zaza Pachulia. The Hawks need to develop early chemistry. They don’t want to get off to a slow start as they learn to play together.

Budenholzer also will determine a starting lineup. There are several options after Jeff Teague at point guard and Horford at center. Last season the Hawks used 29 different starting lineups. Some of that was because of injury, but much of it was because of former coach Larry Drew’s desire to match up with the opposition. Budenholzer’s tendency will be to stick with a regular starting lineup.