The Atlanta Hawks open their preseason Monday night at home against the Memphis Grizzlies, and the first exhibition game should offer an early glimpse at how this new-look roster is coming together after a week of camp at Vanderbilt University.
There are a few Hawks worth tracking closely, starting with No. 8 overall pick Flemings. The preseason opener won’t settle anything about rotations or lineups, but the door is open for him to become Atlanta’s backup point guard after the team moved Devin Carter and Ryan Nembhard in recent weeks.
Flemings impressed in summer league, especially as a lead guard who could organize the offense and create for others, but this is a different level. How Quin Snyder uses him - and how he looks doing it - figures to be one of the bigger stories of the night.
Snyder has already been encouraged by the way Flemings and fellow first-round pick Zuby Ejiofor have handled the early part of camp. He said: "Yeah, I think because those guys have been together really beginning of the summer.
Some of the younger guys have a better feel for themselves and one another than maybe you would think. I think some of it is them having an opportunity to connect with some of our vets.
Their demeanor is such. They're sponges.
They want to learn. I think it's important not to overload them.
I always worry about expectations, particularly when you're on a team. that has some pretty good vets and has had a little bit of success. I think it will be important for us with those guys to define success properly.
And for me, what I'm seeing right now on the court is that."
Another player to watch is Dort, the biggest name Atlanta brought in over the summer. The Hawks acquired him from the Oklahoma City Thunder for a package of second-round picks, and they’re banking on his edge, strength and physical style to help reshape the perimeter defense.
One thing to keep an eye on Monday is whether he shares the floor with Dyson Daniels. If that pairing works, opposing offenses could be in for a long night.
Newell is also in the spotlight. He flashed real offensive ability in limited NBA minutes last season, but his defense still needs work.
If he shows progress there while continuing to build on his shooting and playmaking, he could carve out a rotation spot. With Mouhamed Gueye injured, Dorian Finney-Smith needing a bounce back season and Zuby Ejiofor a rookie, Newell has a path to open the year as the backup power forward.
The opener won’t define anything for Newell, but after an uneven summer league, a strong start would help.
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