The Hawks won 29 games last season, which was Rebuild Year 2. FiveThirtyEight projects them to win the same number of games during Rebuild Year 3, which officially begins on Thursday in Detroit. ESPN’s Basketball Power Index (37 wins) and the consensus of its human voters (34) are more optimistic. Bookmakers set the over/under at 33 ½ victories.
I opined on July 1 that the Hawks are likely win fewer games this season. After that they made trades that netted Allen Crabbe, Chandler Parsons and Damian Jones. The Hawks also signed young journeyman Jabari Parker and re-signed old pro Vince Carter.