Trae Young
2018-2019 stats: 15.7 points, 38.3 fg%, 24.1 3-pt fg%, 7.7 assists and 3.9 turnovers
Grade: A-
Young is in the midst of a major shooting slump, so the numbers really don’t do his play justice right now. What we have learned about Young in his first twenty games as a pro: He is so much more than just a shooter. The rookie is already sniffing eight assists per game and playing in less than 30 minutes a night. There is so much potential here it is not even funny.
Taurean Prince
2018-2019 stats: 15.1 points, 41.1 fg%, 34.7 3-pt fg%, 4.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.7 turnovers
Grade: C
After the way Prince has progressed in his first two seasons in the NBA combined with his stellar pre-season, I had high hopes for him this year. He really could have been the guy to step up in John Collins’ absence over the first fifteen games or so. Unfortunately, that has not happened at all. He is scoring at a similar rate and his shooting numbers are almost identical. At this point, it does not look like Prince is taking the next step towards becoming a piece of the future.
Kent Bazemore
2018-2019 stats: 13.4 points, 48.3 fg%, 32.9 3pt-fg%, 4.0 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.9 turnovers
Grade: B
Bazemore is a solid piece to any NBA team. The problem is his massive contract. That will get easier to deal as it winds down and if Bazemore can keep performing as he has been. He has always been a solid energy piece with plus defensive skills. This year, he is becoming more efficient from the field and averaging a career-high in points scored. Hopefully, these numbers are sustainable and the Hawks are able to find him a new home by this time next year.
DeAndre Bembry
2018-2019 stats: 8.4 points, 40.3 fg%, 32% 3-pt fg%, 4.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.2 turnovers
Grade: C-
Bembry was selected in the first round of the 2016 draft with Taurean Prince as well. His biggest issue so far has been staying healthy, appearing in just over 60 games in his first two seasons with the Hawks. This could be his last real opportunity to show the new front office he deserves to be a part of the future, but he has not done so yet. His all-around game is intriguing. However, the scoring has not come around yet.
Alex Len
2018-2019 stats: 10.4 points, 50.7 fg%, 32.4% 3-pt fg%, 5.6 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and 1.8 turnovers
Grade: B+
Here is a player who is making the most of his opportunity on a struggling team. Averaging a mere 21.4 minutes per game, Len is putting up a career-high in points per game. Most of that is due to his newfound three-point shot that has become a regular part of his arsenal in Atlanta. The 7-footer was a former fifth overall pick out of Maryland. He never lived up to that selection but is letting the rest of the league know he can be a useful piece of a competitive team.
Dewayne Dedmon
2018-2019 stats: 8.1 points, 44.9 fg%, 25.8 3-pt fg%, 6.6 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 0.9 turnovers
Grade: C
Since Dedmon has returned from injury, he and Alex Len have platooned at the center position. Dedmon is not quite the offensive prospect as Len, but he has been a better rebounder and defender. Hopefully, we can see some better shooting percentages as he continues to get his feet under him.
Kevin Huerter
2018-2019 stats: 5.4 points, 38.0% fg, 36.5 3-pt fg%, 3.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 0.8 turnovers
Grade: C+
Huerter was the Hawks’ second of their three first-round picks in the draft. Injuries cost him to miss Summer League, so it took him a little while longer to get acclimated to the pace of the play in the NBA. Defensively, Huerter has exceeded all expectations so far. Offensively, the Hawks are still waiting for him to find his shooting stroke. This was a player who was one of the deadliest shooters in college basketball a year ago, and the Hawks are expecting that to translate to the NBA. Apparently, he is the best shooter in practice. Time to see that in games.
Omari Spellman
2018-2019 stats: 6.3 points, 39.0 fg%, 30.0 3-pt%, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.6 turnovers
Grade: B
Omari Spellman was the Hawks third first-round pick, and outside of Trae Young, has been the most impressive young player on the team. He can rebound, defends multiple positions and stroke the ball from the outside. There are not a lot of big men who can do all three. His shooting percentage has dipped recently, but coming off of a year where he shot over 40% from three at Villanova, it shouldn’t take him long to find his stroke again.
Jeremy Lin
2018-2019 stats: 11.5 points, 51.3 fg%, 42.4 3-pt fg%, 3.2 assists and 2.1 turnovers
Grade: A
Linsanity has returned after back-to-back injury-shortened years, totaling 37 games combined. So far, he looks as good as he ever has in his first 20 games as the Hawks backup point guard. He’s averaging over 11 points per game off the bench and shooting at the most efficient clip of his career.
Vince Carter
2018-2019 stats: 7.0 points, 40.2 fg%, 37.0% 3-pt fg% and 2.5 rebounds
Grade: B
Last but certainly not least among Hawks players that have regularly seen the floor, Vince Carter is showing he still has game at 42 years old. Carter has played in 19 of 20 games and looks like he still belongs in the NBA. Whether this is his final season or not, it has been an honor see him rock the Hawks uniform.