The Atlanta Hawks were the surprise package of the 2021 NBA Playoffs, upsetting the Philadelphia 76ers on their way to the Eastern Conference Finals. They went out to the eventual champion Milwaukee Bucks in the Conference Finals, but Trae Young and Co. are expected to come back stronger in the upcoming season.The Hawks have a young roster, led by a strong coach in Nate McMillan. They tied down their important players to long-term contracts this offseason and could wreak havoc in an already loaded Eastern Conference next year.In this article, we take a look at their roster, preseason schedule, and key dates for the 2021-22 NBA season.Atlanta Hawks roster for the 2021-22 NBA SeasonMilwaukee Bucks v Atlanta Hawks - Game FourThe Atlanta Hawks will enter the 2021-22 NBA campaign with a competitive roster featuring the likes of Trae Young and Bogdan Bogdanovic.Fitness permitting, the Hawks' starting lineup will likely feature talismanic point guard Trae Young and Kevin Huerter in the backcourt, with Bogdan Bogdanovic manning the small forward position. John Collins and Clint Capela are the favorites to feature in Nate McMillan's frontcourt.Player NamePositionYears in NBABogdan BogdanovicForward/Guard4Clint CapelaCenter7John CollinsForward/Center4Sharife Cooper (two-way)GuardRGorgui DiengCenter8Danilo GallinariForward12Johnny HamiltonCenterRSolomon HillForward8Kevin HuerterGuard3De'Andre HunterForward2Jalen JohnsonForwardRAJ LawsonGuardRTimothe Luwawu-CabarrotGuard/Forward5Skylar Mays (two-way)Guard1Jahlil OkaforCenter6Onyeka OkongwuForward/Center1Cam ReddishForward2Lou WilliamsGuard16Delon WrightGuard6Trae YoungGuard3Key dates for Atlanta Hawks entering 2021-22 NBA seasonMedia Day: September 27th, 2021 - MondayTraining Camp Start Date: September 28th, 2021 - TuesdaySeason Opener: Dallas Mavericks vs Atlanta Hawks (October 21st, 2021 - Wednesday, 7:30 PM ET).Atlanta Hawks@ATLHawksThe schedule is out & you can sync it to your calendar now! 🔃 Sync here: bit.ly/3j2sE3o8:31 AM · Aug 21, 202120111The schedule is out & you can sync it to your calendar now! 🔃 Sync here: bit.ly/3j2sE3o https://t.co/NHs3ms4sHUThe Atlanta Hawks will begin their 2021-22 NBA campaign with a game against the Dallas Mavericks, which will see the league's two most exciting youngsters, Luka Doncic and Trae Young, go head-to-head. Both stars were drafted one after the other in the 2018 NBA Draft, and are considered the future of the league.Atlanta Hawks preseason schedule and datesThe Atlanta Hawks will begin their preseason with a game against the Miami Heat, who are one of the contenders to come out of the East in the 2022 NBA playoffs. They will then host the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are one of the weakest sides in the NBA at the moment.Atlanta Hawks@ATLHawksUp next: Training camp‼️#TrueToAtlanta12:49 PM · Sep 24, 202170176Up next: Training camp‼️#TrueToAtlanta https://t.co/RsggYzXRzcThe Hawks will play their last two preseason games against the Memphis Grizzlies away and Miami Heat at home, respectively.Date and TimeMatchTVMonday, October 4th, 7:30 PM ETAtlanta Hawks vs Miami HeatBally Sports South-EastWednesday, October 6th, 7:30 PM ETCleveland Cavaliers vs Atlanta HawksBally Sports South-EastSaturday, October 9th, 8:00 PM ETAtlanta Hawks vs Memphis GrizzliesBally Sports South-EastThursday, October 14th, 7:30 PM ETMiami Heat vs Atlanta HawksBally Sports South-EastAfter punching above their weight in the 2021 NBA Playoffs, the Atlanta Hawks will be under pressure to replicate similar results in the upcoming season.However, they are a relatively young side and Nate McMillan will have to show impeccable man-management to get the best out of his team.Also check out: Complete NBA Preseason TV Schedule for 2021