The Atlanta Hawks are all in, building around All-NBA talent Trae Young. The rookies drafted this year are AJ Griffin (16th pick) and Tyrese Martin (51st pick), and they fill the 3-and-D players that the Hawks are sorely lacking. 

AJ Griffin

Griffin did not play during the summer league due to lingering foot soreness. So far, Griffin has played one game in the preseason, finishing with 13 points in 24 minutes, hitting three shots from downtown at a 60% clip. His jumper looks excellent and silky smooth, and he played good defense. Griffin’s role in this Atlanta Hawks offense would likely be a 3-and-D wing. Griffin stands at 6’6, with a 6’11 wingspan, and has the perfect physical tools to defend other notable wings. Griffin now needs to bulk up to match the strength of other NBA players and more in-game reps.

Tyrese Martin

Martin played in the summer league but has not gotten a lot of chances in the preseason. Martin is developing his shot nicely, and he’s starting to become more aggressive, as his draft report often called him not aggressive enough. Martin had excellent games in the summer league, even dropping 21 points one night. Like Griffin, Martin has the physical tools to become a 3-and-D wing contributor to the Hawks. Martin is a project that will most likely not crack the rotation and will play in the G-League.

Arms Race

Today’s league is a wings league, with teams relying on their wings to defend and score. The current NBA champions, the Golden State Warriors, have wings like Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, Klay Thompson, and Gary Payton II are all lanky and can defend. Even the Boston Celtics, who came up short of the championship, have wings like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, and Grant Williams. The Warriors and the Celtics were first and second in defensive rating, respectively, and it’s because they got this far and were able to disrupt the Lukas and KD’s of the league through their tenacious, lengthy defense. Griffin and Martin fit in the mold of the ideal 3-and-D wings. If they continue to develop their strength and game, the Hawks might have their first championship trophy.

The Grand Scheme of Things

With the Hawks contending for a championship, Griffin and Martin will likely not get any meaningful rotational minutes, barring injuries. Griffin is more likely to crack the rotation of the Hawks simply due to his more oversized frame and better shooting ability. Coach McMillian is reluctant to give any meaningful rotation minutes to the rookies, with Jalen Johnson being a prime example. The league has shifted to a more positionless playstyle, with the acquisitions of long-framed wings who can dribble as the top priority. Griffin and Martin perfectly fit the description and will be huge pieces for the Hawks’ future.