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.<\/p>
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.<\/p>
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.<\/p>
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.<\/p>
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.<\/p>
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.<\/p>
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.<\/p>
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.<\/p>