Hawks’ best starting five still includes CJ McCollum

Brian Burrows of Soaring Down South argues that the Atlanta Hawks should keep veteran guard CJ McCollum in their starting lineup over Lu Dort. Both players sat out the preseason opener, leaving the starting combination unresolved, but Burrows contends that McCollum's primary ball-handling role remains crucial to Atlanta's overall offensive success.

Burrows notes that Atlanta's five-man group featuring McCollum, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, and Onyeka Okongwu ranked as the third highest-scoring lineup last season. While inserting Dort would significantly improve perimeter defense, Burrows argues that the resulting drop in offensive production makes starting McCollum the superior choice.