Hawks players ranked in top 100: 2017 Edition

[Jamaaliver]

As the offseason comes to an end, the top sites are already listing their top players across the league. First up is Sports Illustrated...ESPN and CBS Sports should follow shortly:

90. Kent Bazemore, SF, Hawks

Kent Bazemore enjoyed a quality breakout campaign last season. This was a long time coming for the 27-year-old, who went undrafted out of Old Dominion...A hyperactive, long two guard, Bazemore (11.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 2.3 APG) pulled in a four-year, $70 million contract this summer by proving that he could fill the 3-and-D role fairly well. Although he’s not quite a knockdown shooter or a lockdown perimeter defender, Bazemore has the physical tools, athleticism and enough newfound control to serve as a helpful contributor on both ends.

Going forward, Bazemore is probably best served by staying in his lane, as his decision-making with the ball can be erratic and much of his offense is generated by Atlanta’s emphasis on ball movement. (Last year: Not ranked)

+ His $15.7 million for 2016-17 is more than 33 times larger what he made in 2012-13
+ Less than 3% of his field-goal attempts came within 10-15 ft. (via basketball-reference)
– He rated “Below average” as a pick-and-roll ball-handler last season, per Synergy Sports
– His numbers could take a hit with the losses of skilled passers Jeff Teague and Al Horford

70. Kyle Korver, SG, Hawks

A pair of surgeries completely derailed Korver’s 2015-16 season. It took months for his game (and shooting percentages) to course correct, and from that dry spell came Korver’s worst season three-point shooting percentage since 2009. When he’s unable to do that, Korver fades into the background of games. Korver showed over the final months of the season that he can still do enough of that to be effective, though a 35-year-old coming off a season marred by injury deserves some mild pessimism. (Last year: No. 46)

+ Forces opponents to change their game plans to account for his presence
+ Changes the game without the ball, allowing teammates to register their own influence
– A nondescript defender at best, an exploitable one at worst
– Clearly on the decline of his career

[Jamaaliver]

What's interesting is that Teague is listed at #57, but Dennis Schroder isn't yet listed. This either means DS isn't considered a top-100 option...or that he is considered a top 50 talent moving forward by SI!!! Either of these would be fairly surprising considering who has been listed this far.

57. Jeff Teague, PG, Pacers

Teague (15.7 PPG, 5.9 APG) was in a battle for minutes (and future dollars) with back-up Dennis Schroder, his overall efficiency and production were off last season, the Hawks took a major step back in the standings, and the team’s offense wasn’t nearly as potent as it was during their dream 2014-15 run to the East finals. This is clean slate time for the 28-year-old Teague.

...the door is wide open for Teague to prove he’s worth a major investment next summer. (Last year: No. 41)

+ Ranked in the top four league-wide in total drives in each of the last three years
+ Shot a career-best 40% from deep last season (graded out 98th percentile in catch-and-shoot, per Synergy Sports)
– Claimed to have played through a torn tendon in his knee on an Instagram post that was later deleted.
– Fell from 7th among point guards in Defensive Real Plus Minus in 2014-15 to outside the top 50

Here

[KevinOConnorNBA]

^It would stun me if Schroder isn't top 100. Then again, I'm not sure I'd put him top 50, so...we'll see what happens.

[ATL Boy]

Kind of shocked that Korver is listed in the top 70.

Millsap and Dwight will be on the list, giving us 4 players (maybe 5 if Schroder appears).

[jayu70]

Dwight at 34
Paul at 15

[Jamaaliver]

Sports Illustrated ranked Millsap at #15

15. Paul Millsap, PF, Hawks

Millsap came into the league as a undersized rebounding specialist and emerged over the last few seasons as one of the game’s best frontcourt defenders...Millsap’s quick feet make him an easy switch between wings and bigs and a decent option to step up against a point guard in a pinch.

Millsap’s game is a riff on the same principles that make Draymond Green so damn effective. It’s an interesting comparison: Green is a slightly better defender and passer but Millsap is the more capable scorer and rebounder.

+ Talented, fluid passer who can make smart reads on the move
+ Great hands: In the Kawhi Leonard range in steal %
– Had a down shooting season (31.9%) from the three-point line, couldn’t punish defenses for leaving him
– In good, crowded company in that he can’t really guard LeBron James

And Bleacher Report has him in their TOP 10!!!

10. Paul Millsap, Atlanta Hawks (PF)

Millsap was the Hawks. His play represented everything that helped this team remain near the top of the Eastern Conference, whether by his diverse offensive contributions featuring skill and ball movement or his defensive versatility that helped anchor unique schemes. There's no telling whether he'll be able to maintain this level of play during his age-31 season, but he was a top-10 player in 2015-16.

Overall Rating - 88/100