Optimizing the 5-man lineups.
In the lead up to the start of the 2024-25 NBA season, we had some big questions about this Atlanta Hawks team that need answering.
This is the third of many roundtable topics we here at Peachtree Hoops are weighing in on. The previous one can be found here.
What would be your preferred starting/closing lineups?
Wes – My two lineups would be different if I were Quin Snyder (which I am not for good reason). I want my starting lineup to set a good defensive tone, so I’d go with Trae Young, Dyson Daniels, Zaccharie Risacher, Jalen Johnson, and Clint Capela. ‘Bogi’ and ‘Dre’ both thrived in bench roles last season so I personally keep them there.
But to close (and especially if the team were trailing), I have to finish with ‘Bogi’ in for Risacher for experience and on-ball juice and would heavily consider rolling with Okongwu instead of Capela to give me the most offensive versatility in those high leverage situations.
Graham – I’m perfectly OK to see the Young-Daniels-Hunter-Johnson-Capela lineup to start the season, similar to preseason. I mainly want to see if a plus defender like Daniels can liberate Hunter somewhat so that there’s not so much leaning on Hunter defensively and hope that can bring something more out of him? On paper, the rest of that lineup is quietly underrated defensively (minus Young of course). If Hunter is just the same Hunter then I want to see Risacher in the lineup instead.
As to close a game…I think it depends on a couple of things, one being if Daniels can shoot because if he can’t then, as good as he is defensively, it’s going to be difficult to keep him out there when teams leave him open. And then you could make a case for the opposite side of things for Risacher…how good is he defensively? Can he stay on the floor in crunch time? If he can, I think the closing lineup I’d like to see is Young, Risacher/‘Bogi’, Hunter/‘Bogi’, Johnson, Okongwu. I know I’m cheating slightly…Hunter is a begrudging inclusion, because there has to be some defense here if Daniels is not on the floor, but again all closing lineups I think will depend somewhat on Risacher and how good/playable he is.
Hassan – Like Graham, I’ve got no qualms with the preseason starting lineup of Young, Daniels, Hunter, Johnson and Capela — though if this group looks like they could use a bit more offensive juice after a couple of games, I could see Snyder swapping Okongwu in for Capela and/or one of Risacher or Bogdanovic in for Hunter.
As for the closing lineup, the depth that they added this offseason gives them a few different options depending on the situation and matchup. If the Hawks need to put up points in a hurry, they could theoretically put out a lineup with their five best offensive players in Young, Bogdanovic, Risacher, Hunter and Johnson. This group’s defense probably (okay, definitely) wouldn’t be too pretty, however it’s an intriguing ‘hail-Mary’ lineup with explosive offensive upside.
If this unit does prove to be utterly inept on the defensive end of the floor however, swap in Larry Nance Jr. or Okongwu for Hunter and move Johnson back to the ‘4’ and it’s still a fearsome offensive unit with five capable three-point shooters and at least some semblance of rim protection.
Need a lineup to come up with some stops? I’d probably use Vit Krejci, Dyson Daniels, De’Andre Hunter, Jalen Johnson, and Capela (Okongwu is also an option at the ‘5’ here, especially if Atlanta is looking to switch screens involving the opposing team’s big-man).
If the game is tight however, with Atlanta leading or trailing by a couple of baskets, I would probably go with a lineup of Young, Bogdanovic, Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu to close. Daniels’ offensive game is still a work in progress, but he is a ‘game-wrecker’ on the defensive end of the floor, and can match up with the opposing team’s #1 option on the perimeter. Meanwhile, Young, Bogdanovic, and Johnson should be more than capable of providing the offensive firepower, with Okongwu serving as a dynamic big that can stretch the floor. Though I’m a bit concerned about this group’s rebounding ability, I’m counting on Daniels, Johnson and Okongwu to help them tread water in this area.
Joe – Now, this is one I go back and forth on. Obviously Trae Young is finishing the game, and Jalen Johnson too. My real take is Bogdanovic should be a closer. I know he comes off the bench and he and Trae aren’t the ideal defensive backcourt. My thought process is that he’s a veteran and he’s proven that he has no fear taking the biggest shots of the game.
So, with Young, Bogdanovic, and Johnson, I think you have Daniels in to take the primary ball handler and put Capela at center. I like Okongwu, but I think you need Capela’s rim protection and rebounding with this lineup. Regardless of your five, I think ‘Bogi’ should close games more often.