Teams are gearing up to prepare for the season with the sole intention of claiming the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy as their own. Many teams, especially the Eastern Conference, have new and revamped rosters with even more firepower. With the Cleveland Cavaliers acquiring Donovan Mitchell and the Atlanta Hawks acquiring Dejounte Murray, two Western All-Stars bolster the already top-heavy Eastern Conference. There are only eight spots for playoffs, and at least nine teams are worth playoff contention. 

Where Do the Atlanta Hawks Fit In?

Barring significant injuries, the Hawks can place as high as the 4th seed. The trade for Murray does not solve all of the Atlanta Hawks problems, but it is a positive that will net them more regular season games. Depth is critical for the regular season, and adding Murray will prolong Trae Young’s health. Aside from the suspect defense, the Atlanta Hawks have increased their firepower offensively. They will win games by outshooting the other team, not in nitty-gritty low-scoring games. If there are significant injuries or the chemistry is off, the Atlanta Hawks will miss the playoffs. 

The Conference of Death

The Eastern Conference is no longer a cakewalk. Each regular season game matters, and the Hawks will need to win each critical matchup. All games against the Atlantic Division rivals are a must-win for the Hawks. It will be a tough match-up for the Hawks, as the Philadelphia 76ers have given Joel Embiid some help with defensive wings and spacing from 1-5. Last year’s finalists, the Boston Celtics, will also be challenging for the Hawks. They have a great defensive system that can shut down the Hawk’s offense. The Toronto Raptors are similar to the Celtics, with large wings they can use to hinder Trae and the rest of the Hawks offense. The New York Knicks are also a threat, adding Jalen Brunson to their roster. I predict the Atlanta Hawks to be in the fourth to 7th range, finishing third in their division.