2025-26 NBA Guide: Atlanta Hawks

Hawks: Another Year, Another Play-In Exit

The Atlanta Hawks entered last season with mixed expectations. On one hand, the franchise finally admitted the failure of the Dejounte Murray trade, shipping the guard to the New Orleans Pelicans during the offseason, a deal that had cost Atlanta three first-round picks when they acquired him from San Antonio.

On the other hand, the Hawks managed to assemble a young core. If a few of those players could tap into their potential, there was optimism that Atlanta might return to contention. In that sense, the 2024–25 campaign turned out to be encouraging.

The breakout star was Dyson Daniels, the key piece acquired in the Murray trade. After quiet years in New Orleans, the Australian guard flourished in Atlanta, winning the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award. Daniels became the first player since Alvin Robertson in 1990–91 to average three steals per game.

Top overall pick Zaccharie Risacher also began to find his rhythm after the All-Star break, averaging 14.6 points, 4 rebounds, and shooting 40.7% from deep in the second half of the season. Meanwhile, Jalen Johnson was having a career year before a shoulder injury ended his campaign prematurely in January. He posted 18.9 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists through 36 games.

Those performances also helped elevate Trae Young, who led the entire league in assists with 11.6 per game, even as his shooting efficiency dipped.

Still, without Johnson, the Hawks struggled to maintain momentum. They finished eighth in the East and landed in the Play-In Tournament for the fourth straight year. Losses to the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat ended their postseason hopes. However, unlike previous exits, there was genuine optimism surrounding the team’s direction.

Hopes Renewed With a Busy Offseason

Atlanta wasted no time reshaping its roster this summer. The front office made several savvy moves that elevated the team’s ceiling heading into 2025–26.

The biggest splash was signing Nickeil Alexander-Walker, one of the most sought-after free agents on the market, to a four-year, $60.6 million deal. Fresh off a strong playoff run with the Minnesota Timberwolves, the combo guard brings two-way versatility and playoff experience.

Next came a blockbuster: Kristaps Porziņģis arrived in Atlanta through a three-team trade with Boston and Brooklyn. The Hawks gave up Terance Mann, Georges Niang, the No. 22 pick in the 2025 Draft, and a second-rounder. While Porziņģis has battled injuries, his ability to stretch the floor and protect the rim remains elite. With his contract expiring next summer, the move also gives Atlanta flexibility moving forward.

The Hawks also added Luke Kennard, one of the NBA’s most accurate three-point shooters (43.8% for his career), and N’Faly Dante, a standout big man from the G League’s Houston affiliate. In the draft, they selected Asa Newell at No. 23. Newell is an offensively gifted forward who could earn meaningful minutes alongside Trae Young right away.

The biggest departure was Clint Capela, the team’s long-time starting center. However, his exit paves the way for Onyeka Okongwu to take on a full-time starting role. Veterans Caris LeVert and Larry Nance Jr. also left, but their absence won’t significantly hurt the rotation.

An Open East Could Benefit Atlanta

Given the offseason upgrades, the Hawks have positioned themselves as a legitimate playoff contender. They could potentially even compete for home-court advantage in the East.

Newly appointed general manager Onsi Saleh made a strong first impression, assembling a deeper, more balanced roster. And with several Eastern rivals, including Boston and Indiana, dealing with injuries or roster uncertainty, the door is wide open for Atlanta to make a leap.

Jalen Johnson: The Team’s Barometer

Few players embody the Hawks’ potential more than Jalen Johnson. When he was on the floor last season, Atlanta posted a defensive rating of 110.2, which would’ve ranked fifth-best in the league. Without him, that number ballooned to 115.7, dropping the Hawks into bottom-tier territory.

Offensively, Johnson not only finishes plays but also helps create them, easing pressure on Trae Young. The team averaged 22.3 assists with him on the court, compared to 19.8 without him. His health, and ability to stay on the floor, could make or break Atlanta’s season.

Balance Is the Key to Success

Head coach Quin Snyder still faces the same core dilemma that has defined the Trae Young era:
How do you field an effective defense with Young on the court, and how do you score when he’s off it?

Statistically, the Hawks’ offense plummets to worst in the NBA when Young sits. That’s where Alexander-Walker’s addition could prove critical. Walker is a player capable of handling the ball, defending multiple positions, and stabilizing the offense in non-Trae minutes.

Finally, health remains the X-factor. Both Johnson and Porziņģis have recent injury histories, and keeping them healthy will be vital if Atlanta hopes to escape another year in Play-In purgatory.