NBA: Way-too-early playoff predictions for the 2021-22 season

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Atlanta Hawks Trae Young (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

6. Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks put on an absolute show during the postseason this past year. Even though they came within the footsteps of a surprise NBA Finals appearance, I kind of feel like their performance was somewhat of fool’s gold.

The Hawks are good. They’re only going to get better but I still believe that this team is still a few years from reaching their ceiling. Trae Young is a budding superstar and the sky is the limit for John Collins, especially if he can make a jump on the defensive end of the floor.

The Hawks will be dangerous but I don’t believe they’re a top 5 team in the East. Maybe I’m wrong and they end up proving me wrong, but I simply don’t see it at this point in the offseason. That said, they’re going to be one of the most entertaining follows this season.