With the beginning of this year’s Atlanta Hawks basketball season, and new faces mixed in with the old and familiar, Hawks fans wait patiently to see how the team meshes brand new relationships and playstyles.

With Atlanta in the middle of tanking, a process in which teams ship out their most valuable players and intentionally notch losses on their record in hopes of receiving a high pick in the draft lottery, the Hawks receive leniency and low expectations, both privileges the club will maintain for the first time in nearly a decade.

Atlanta’s 2017 projected lineup:

Leading the new-look Hawks: Dennis Schroder, the 6’ 1” point guard drafted by Atlanta out of Germany in 2013. Schroder, a blossoming young point guard with growing strengths on the offensive end, surprisingly comes up short when it comes to leadership, maturity, and responsibility. Despite his shortcomings, if given the opportunity, Schroder possesses the keys to a bright Hawks future, with himself at the helm.

2016-2017 Season stats; 17.9 Points per game, 3.1 Rebounds per game, 6.3 Assists per game, and nearly an exact 34% three-point percentage.

At starting shooting guard, Kent Bazemore, 6’ 5” guard/forward and member of the Hawks since signing with the team during the 2014 offseason, continues to play for the team. Bazemore, while borderline inconsistent on the offensive end of the floor, constantly shows a tremendous, reliable defensive effort that will likely lead the team’s backcourt to the majority of its defensive stops. After showcasing the work he put in over the off-season, Bazemore should bring significant offensive improvement in perimeter shooting, even more than his current, crisp 34.9% career three-point percentage. Given the right opportunity, as far as the minutes Atlanta allows him to play per game, Bazemore should showcase his potential abilities after his 2016-17 performance, which, compared to his $70 million/4-year contract, most definitely proved itself as a failure.

2016-2017 Season stats; 11.0 Points per game, 3.2 Rebounds per game, 2.4 Assists per game, 0.7 Blocks per game, 34.6% three-point percentage.

Next, at the small forward position, 6’ 8” Taurean Prince, drafted by the Hawks out of Baylor University back in 2016, continues to shine. Last season, Prince averaged roughly 5.7 points per game, coming up shorter offensively than initially expected. Despite his shortcomings, Atlanta still presented Prince a chance during the postseason to showcase his skills and shine on both ends of the floor. Taking his 2017 playoff performance into consideration, as well as his plentiful rookie potential, the Hawks will give Prince a chance to start games and showcase his skills directly out of the gate.

2016-2017 Season stats; 5.7 Points per game, 2.7 Rebounds per game, 0.9 Assists per game, 0.5 Blocks per game.

Starting at Atlanta’s primary power forward position, 6-team NBA veteran, Ersan Ilyasova, drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks out of Turkey in 2005. Ilyasova, a 6’ 10” forward acquired by Atlanta during a 2017 trade, proves his offensive abilities, impressive for someone with his size, age, and a resumé of six different NBA teams in just two years. If used properly by Atlanta, Ilyasova presents himself as a reliable offensive weapon with size and perimeter shooting. Starting Ilyasova also allows first-year rookie John Collins to play off of the bench at the power forward slot, which will spark the second unit.

2016-2017 Season stats (with Hawks only); 10.4 Points per game, 5.8 Rebounds per game, 1.7 Assists per game, 0.3 Blocks per game.

Finally, at the center spot, stands 7’ 0” Dewayne Dedmon. Dedmon, projected for one of his best years, starts off the season with high expectations on the defensive end of the floor, as well as glass-cleaning on both ends. With Dedmon starting, and a young Mike Muscala coming off the bench, Atlanta begins its season with a youthful and powerful set of centers.

2016-2017 Season stats (with San Antonio); 5.1 Points per game, 6.5 Rebounds per game, 0.6 Assists per game, 0.8 Blocks per game.

On the bench, Atlanta plays a young team with seemingly unlimited time and  potential to grow. With powerful first-year players such as John Collins and Tyler Dorsey, as well as second-year players and fresh signees like DeAndre Bembry and Malcolm Delaney, the Hawks’ bench packs pure depth and raw potential, arguably stronger than any Atlanta bench in years past.

The new-look Atlanta Hawks start the season locked, loaded, and ready to win, whether they would like to or not. While lacking star power, they trade it off for a chance to grow and start several league favorites, such as Dennis Schroder, Taurean Prince, and John Collins. With inside size, reliable perimeter shooting, strong defense, and the sixth-youngest starting lineup in NBA opening-night history, the Hawks begin their 2017-2018 season with the tools to grow and succeed, exactly as planned.