Michael Cunningham wrote:Hawks have promising young core with Collins, Young and Huerter Watch the Hawks play enough games, and you’ll see they have the makings of a good, young core with second-year standout John Collins and promising rookies Trae Young and Kevin Huerter.
“Core” became a dirty word around here when it was associated with a Hawks team that had topped out but was stubbornly kept together. Now it represents genuine hope for a better Hawks future. A lot still must go right for the Hawks to become a contending team, and it’s possible they never will, but those young players from their past two drafts give them something to work with.
It’s here that I note, as always, I don’t blame those Hawks fans who don’t like the rebuild.
The Hawks are building a team to general manager Travis Schlenk’s “dribble, pass, shoot” specifications. Young, Huerter and Collins can do at least two of the three right now. They have the potential to develop into complete offensive players. The Hawks want to attack. Collins, Young and Huerter can do that.
Collins is a relentless force at the rim while averaging 18.8 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. Collins is at the apex of potential and production. It’s no coincidence that Hawks are better in nearly every statistical category when he’s on the court vs. off. Collins still is just 21-years old, so there’s room for growth.
Young, the point guard, is a superlative ballhandler and passer (7.2 assists per game). Young makes the Hawks go with his vision and feel for the game. As expected, he couldn’t sustain his strong start to the season as his offensive efficiency dropped off. But there’s evidence Young is figuring some things out.
Huerter is a play-making wing who’s been one of the best three-point shooters at his position (39 percent on 4.4 attempts per game). Huerter was billed as a shooter out of Maryland and he’s lived up to that. He’s got a good feel for the game, like Young. Huerter’s also got good size for a wing, allowing him to see the floor as a passer and create shots in the short mid-range area.
The Hawks have a good nucleus of 21-and-under players with Young, Huerter and Collins. Schlenk can add to it in the next draft. The Hawks figure to have two top-10 picks.