Atlanta Hawks projected for modest improvement with early over/under

NBA Summer League concludes on Monday evening and, for the Atlanta Hawks, it is already a thing of the past. With free agency also dying down, rosters across the league are beginning to take shape and, right on time, the good folks at BetOnline.ag released over/under win total projections for each of the league’s 30 teams.

At this (very) early stage, the Hawks are pegged at 32.5 victories and ahead of seven teams. Atlanta sits in a “tie” with the Russell Westbrook-less, Paul George-less Oklahoma City Thunder at 32.5 wins and, when compared to the Eastern Conference, these projections place the Hawks at No. 10, trailing the Detroit Pistons (No. 9) and ahead of the Chicago Bulls (No. 11).

In some ways, this aligns with previously released playoff odds that view Atlanta as unlikely to make the 2020 NBA Playoffs. There is reason for optimism surrounding the 2019-20 Hawks, particularly when considering projected growth from Trae Young, John Collins and Kevin Huerter. On the flip side, Lloyd Pierce’s team will likely rely, at least to some extent, on rookies in De’Andre Hunter, Cam Reddish and Bruno Fernando, and the loss of starting center Dewayne Dedmon shouldn’t be taken lightly.

That combination of factors leads to the projection of modest improvement, as the Hawks won 29 games in 2018-19. Atlanta did play at a better pace (about 33 wins) than that with Collins in the lineup but, even with that factored in, there is some uncertainty at center and with the additions of Evan Turner (in a different role) and Jabari Parker.

Between now and October, this over/under number is likely to change but, if you believe strongly that the Hawks are likely to win 33 games or more, the opportunity is now there for you to “invest” in that notion.

Here is the full list of over/unders, as of July 15:

• Los Angeles Clippers: 55.5
• Milwaukee Bucks: 54.5
• Philadelphia 76ers: 53.5
• Utah Jazz: 52.5
• Los Angeles Lakers: 51.5
• Houston Rockets: 51.5
• Denver Nuggets: 50.5
• Indiana Pacers: 48.5
• Boston Celtics: 48.5
• Golden State Warriors: 47.5
• Toronto Raptors: 45.5
• Brooklyn Nets: 45.5
• Portland Trail Blazers: 44.5
• San Antonio Spurs: 43.5
• Miami Heat: 42.5
• Dallas Mavericks: 41.5
• Orlando Magic: 41.5
• New Orleans Pelicans: 36.5
• Detroit Pistons: 35.5
• Sacramento Kings: 35.5
• Minnesota Timberwolves: 35.5
• Oklahoma City Thunder 32.5
• Atlanta Hawks: 32.5
• Chicago Bulls: 30.5
• Washington Wizards: 28.5
• New York Knicks: 27.5
• Memphis Grizzlies: 27.5
• Phoenix Suns: 26.5
• Cleveland Cavaliers: 25.5
• Charlotte Hornets: 23.5