As for how this season will actually sort out for Atlanta, I have no idea. This clearly isn't the same Atlanta team we're accustomed to seeing. They could emerge as a true player in the East, they could struggle to make the playoffs but sneak into an 8th seed, they could miss the playoffs entirely. I'd be surprised if they missed the playoffs, but none of the scenarios seems out of the question at this point.

The other big question in Atlanta is how the ongoing saga of Josh Smith plays out. For the last several years it has seemed as though Smith could be traded at any time. At various points he's demanded a trade and then professed his desire to stay. Smith will be a free agent after this season. It's entirely unclear if Ferry will attempt to work out an extension, try to keep Smith in free agency, work out a trade, or let Smith leave in the offseason. Like the Hawks themselves, it could really go a variety of directions.