NBA training camps are just days away from opening, which means we've hit the home stretch of the offseason. If you think that means all 30 teams have their affairs in order, you haven't been paying attention. Every squad enters camp with a rough idea of what the season will bring, but the specifics are harder to forecast.
Here, we'll isolate a pressing issue that every team needs to get a handle on in camp. From uncertain roles in the rotation to overarching franchise directions to financial minutia, we've got questions. After months of wondering, we're entering a portion of the NBA calendar where we might finally get some answers.
The Atlanta Hawks have some big-picture questions to answer, not the least of which being the long-term viability of Trae Young as their cornerstone. They may not need to get quite that existential if head coach Quin Snyder can finally figure out how to address a problem area that has persisted for years. In five of the last seven seasons, Atlanta has finished with a bottom-five defensive rating .
Not since 2016-17, when the roster and coaching staff were completely different, have the Hawks graded out above the league average in defensive efficiency. Rookie Zaccharie Risacher has the length and smarts to become a quality contributor on that end, but can he be ready immediately? Will either Clint Capela or Onyeka Okongwu shut down the paint and control the glass? Does last year's breakout forward Jalen Johnson have another gear on D? Young is what.
