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Barring an unexpected move, the Atlanta Hawks' roster is set for opening night of the 2016-17 NBA season. Atlanta requested waivers on point guard Josh Magette on Saturday bringing their roster total to 15 players. The team parted ways with injured point guard Jarrett Jack earlier in the week allieviating a logjam of guaranteed contracts.
The Hawks will open the season with just two true point guards which means that additional moves could come down the line. For now though, it appears to be a good mix of size, experience and potential.
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Point Guards
Dennis Schröder, Malcolm Delaney
A year ago, point guard was a position of strength for the Hawks but now it could be classified as somewhat of a question mark. Dennis Schröder takes over as the team's starter after Jeff Teague was dealt away in a three-team trade prior to the draft. Schröder has a high ceiling but has experienced growing pains over his first three NBA seasons. He is in a contract year, so this is his opportunity to show the Hawks and the rest of the league that he is ready to lead.
Delaney will be making his NBA debut but is hardly a rookie in terms of experience. He spent the last five seasons playing overseas where he developed into one of the best players in Europe. Delaney had been on Atlanta's radar for several seasons and now he gets the opportunity to show that his game will translate stateside.
Having just two true point guards could put the Hawks at risk if either Schröder or Delaney were to suffer an injury. However, they were going to be in a similar situation had they elected to keep Jack given that he wouldn't have been healthy enough to play for some time.
Kent Bazemore would likely be the emergency option if a third point guard is needed and rookie DeAndre Bembry could also figure into the mix.
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Wings
Kyle Korver, Kent Bazemore, Tim Hardaway Jr, Thabo Sefolosha, Taurean Prince, DeAndre Bembry
Perhaps the best news to come out of the preseason for Atlanta is that both Kyle Korver and Thabo Sefolosha look to be healthy and miles ahead of where they were at this point last season.
Korver knocked down 11 of 22 three-point attempts during the preseason and shot 58 percent from the field overall. Sefolosha was even better shooting 60 percent from the field and coverting 7 of 9 three-point attempts. Small sample size applies but both players were moving well and that is good news for the Hawks.
Kent Bazemore was solid throughout the preseason and Atlanta will need him to be a catalyst again at both ends of the floor.
Tim Hardaway Jr. got off to the slowest of starts in the preseason but showed signs of life over the final week. Hardaway is entering a contract year and appears to be in line for the first shot at rotational minutes at shooting guard. He may need to get off to a good start because he has competition behind him.
Atlanta spent a pair of first-round picks on Taurean Prince and DeAndre Bembry. Both played well overall during the exhibition season when given opportunities. Prince projects as the classic small forward option with a slashing offensive game and the physical tools to be a good defender. Bembry's playmaking skills make him an ideal fit for the way Atlanta likes to play.
Both rookies may find minutes hard to come at least in the early going but appear capable if an opportunity presents itself.
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Frontcourt
Paul Millsap, Dwight Howard, Mike Muscala, Kris Humphries, Mike Scott, Walter Tavares, Tiago Splitter
Coming into the preseason, it appeared that one of this group would likely be the odd man out in Atlanta's roster crunch. That didn't materialize as several bumps and bruises along the frontcourt may have factored into the decision to keep an extra body.
Paul Millsap had a non-surgical procedure on his knee prior to the start of camp and was slowed through the first few weeks before playing in the final three preseason games. Mike Scott battled through a sore knee while Tiago Splitter missed virtually the entire preseason due to a strained hamstring.
Dwight Howard did everything expected of him and appeared to be acclimating himself well to Atlanta's system. Mike Muscala turned in a solid preseason campaign and appears in line to open the season in the rotation as the backup power forward behind Millsap.
Kris Humphries and Edy Tavares provide size while Scott gives them another offensive option to go to off the bench.