It might be hard to remember the Atlanta Hawks just won 60 games in the regular season. But after making it to the Eastern Conference Finals, the Hawks were outclassed by the Cleveland Cavaliers in four games.
However, Mike Budenholzer’s group came out of nowhere and produced four All-Stars in the process. If you’re a fantasy general manager that took fliers on some of their players like Kyle Korver or Jeff Teague, you were handsomely rewarded. The question is how do you rank their players going forward in terms of fantasy value? Much depends on whether Paul Millsap and DeMarre Carroll return (both are free agents) but as of now, here’s how we see it:
Paul Millsap, Power Forward
Millsap averaged a team-high 16.7 points and 7.8 rebounds per game as well as 3.1 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.0 blocks. There is every reason to expect him to put up similar numbers again next year assuming he’s back (pending free agent). The lack of true elite competition at the position in the Eastern Conference makes Millsap that much more attractive of a fantasy option and as long as he can stay healthy he should be Atlanta’s best fantasy player once again.
Jeff Teague, Point Guard
Teague was easily the Hawks best guard as he averaged 15.9 points, 7.0 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game this season. The idea that Dennis Schroder will push Teague for playing time and limit his fantasy stock for next season have been very exaggerated, so look for Teague to be the second-best fantasy option on Atlanta’s roster again for next season. And remember, if Millsap and DeMarre Carroll walk, the Hawks will need both Teague and Schroder to pick up the slack.
DeMarre Carroll, Small Forward
Carroll emerged as one of the breakthrough players of this postseason as he averaged 14.6 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game as a key player in the Hawks run to the Eastern Conference Finals. While some will be quick to expect his continued progression looking forward to next regular season, it’s also important to keep in mind that veteran players like Millsap, Teague, Al Horford and Kyle Korver will also need their touches. Carroll’s fantasy value will climb if he departs in free agency. A situation like the Los Angeles Lakers, who appear to be courting him, would be better for his fantasy value.
Al Horford, Center
No other Hawks’ starter played as many games for them last season as Horford and the Hawks may need to rely on him more if Millsap and Carroll are gone. Horford averaged 15.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.3 blocks per game for Atlanta during the regular season and should post similar totals again for next year.
Kyle Korver, Small Forward
Korver really struggled with his shot throughout the playoffs but he has always been recognized as an excellent three-point shooter capable of putting up solid point totals and should be back in form for next season. Korver averaged 12.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.4 steals per game and most importantly, 2.9 threes this season. Will he shoot 49.2% from three again? Probably not but he’ll still be plenty valuable.
Dennis Schroder, Point Guard
Schroder was solid off the bench for the Hawks this season as he averaged 10.0 points and 4.1 assists in 19.7 minutes as their sixth man but expectations should be tempered for him looking forward to next season. As mentioned above, a lot of his value is tied to the free agency decisions of Carroll and Millsap.
Kent Bazemore, Shooting Guard
Bazemore helped provide a spark for the Hawks off the bench at times this postseason and he could be considered a fringe fantasy player worth keeping an eye on. Bazemore averaged 5.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game this postseason and while he isn’t worth drafting, he will be worth keeping an eye on in fantasy leagues if he gets more burn. Remember, he did averaged 13.1 points per game with 3.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.4 threes and 1.3 steals in the 23 games with the Los Angeles Lakers to end the 2013-14, so he could be a sneaky source for contributions if he gets more time.
