ESPN's Jalen Rose: Hawks are playoff-bound next season

Are the Hawks poised to make the postseason in 2020-21? Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN's Jalen Rose predicts Atlanta Hawks are playoff-bound next season

By Blake Harper | Last updated 11/19/20

The Atlanta Hawks believe they are ready to make the jump from cellar-dwellers to playoff contenders, and ESPN's Jalen Rose is right there with them, declaring that the team will make the playoffs this upcoming season.

"We know about Trae Young and young talent they've amassed..." Rose said on "Get Up." "But I tell you what, the Hawks did a terrific job drafting a kid from UFC. He's gonna go with [Clint] Capela. The Hawks will be a playoff team in the Eastern Conference and they're gonna create a lot of excitement."

"The Hawks will be a playoff team in the Eastern Conference."@JalenRose is excited about what's going on in Atlanta pic.twitter.com/s4C4y7r7oi
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) November 19, 2020

It's not hard to see why Rose is so enthusiastic about Atlanta's future, including their newest player, Onyeka Okongwu, who they took with the No. 6 pick in Wednesday night's draft. While Young may not be a Luka-level all-time talent, he looked phenomenal last season, scoring 29 points per game along with nearly 10 assists, and should make another jump in his third year in the league.

But it's not just Young, as the Hawks have several pieces in their young core who they believe can help them make the playoff push, including Capela, John Collins and De'Andre Hunter. Atlanta is also looking to add some veteran help via free agency or trade, as they reportedly plan to make a hefty offer to Rajon Rondo, who is expected not to rejoin the Lakers.

Getting back to the postseason is a clear goal for the Hawks, who made the playoffs for 10 years straight before failing to make it each of the past three seasons.

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