The Atlanta Hawks head into the new season with a frontcourt logjam that could shape the way their rotation looks for months, but don’t expect an early clean answer.
That was one of the biggest issues holding Atlanta back in its last postseason push: not enough depth, especially at forward. Jonathan Kuminga’s arrival had an immediate effect because the Hawks were short on help on the wing and inside. After the way they handled the summer, though, it’s clear they want to avoid that shortage again.
The flip side of that kind of depth is simple. If there are too many capable bodies at the same spot, somebody is going to miss out on minutes. Atlanta is heading toward that kind of decision fast.
Opening night usually gives a pretty good hint about where a team is going, but this situation may be different. In Atlanta, that first rotation may not tell the whole story at all.
The starting five appears set. Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins, Jock Landale and, likely, Kingston Flemings are in line for immediate responsibility. After that, the picture gets cloudy in a hurry, with several of the next options all competing for the same kind of playing time.
Asa Newell and Zuby Ejiofor both have a real chance to earn minutes. Each was a recent first-round pick, and both bring different strengths on offense and defense. They also fit the type of roster the Hawks have been trying to build.
And then there’s Mo Gueye, who shouldn’t be forgotten in the mix.
That is, if he’s even on the opening night roster.
Atlanta still has to trim two players before the 2026-27 season begins, and Gueye has been widely viewed as the likely odd man out after his injury this offseason. His recovery is expected to keep him sidelined for at least the first part of the season, so if the team still sees him as part of its future, his eventual return could change the rotation picture in a big way.
In Other News...
Jalen Johnson Now Faces The Biggest Test Of Atlantas Offseason
The Hawks spent the offseason leaning into youth and depth, adding through the draft, re-signing important pieces and making trades in an effort to build out a more complete roster. Along the way, the front office also showed its belief in Quin Snyder by giving him a contract extension, a sign the organization is trying to steady the program while it grows around a newer core. At the center of it all is Jalen Johnson, who is now being asked to take the next step toward becoming a leading player on a team with real ambitions.
Johnsons challenge is only part of the picture, though, because the Hawks have created the kind of roster squeeze that usually forces some uncomfortable decisions. The team has to sort out how all of the pieces fit while still keeping enough balance for the season ahead, and that means certain players are already under a brighter spotlight as camp approaches. For Atlanta, the offseason was about getting younger and deeper, but the real test is whether those moves leave enough room for everyone the team wants to keep. [Read more 🡒]
Hawks Tied To Jonathan Kuminga Move That Could Swing A Contender
The summer churn around Jonathan Kuminga has narrowed to the point where the market is watching just two familiar contenders, and the ripple effect could still be felt beyond the teams directly involved. For the Hawks, the importance is less about which club lands him and more about how a possible sign-and-trade in this range can reshape the balance of power for another playoff hopeful in a conference already crowded with teams trying to retool on the fly.
Kumingas next move is expected soon, with the sign-and-trade structure adding a layer of complexity because any deal would require a longer commitment from the forward. The Lakers have been viewed as the preferred landing spot, but the Timberwolves remain in the mix, and with both teams having already made meaningful changes to their rosters this offseason, the decision could determine which contender gets the extra piece it has been chasing. [Read more 🡒]
Hawks Still Have Tough Roster Decisions Ahead Of Opening Night
With opening night approaching, Atlanta is still carrying a crowded roster and the front office has some trimming to do before the season begins. The Hawks need to get down to 15 standard-contract players, which means a few names near the end of the group are going to be squeezed out as the team sorts through recent performance, contract considerations and overall fit.
A few players have emerged as the ones most likely to be moved or let go as the roster gets finalized, and that makes the last stretch of camp worth watching closely. For Atlanta, the question is not just who survives the cut, but whether the answer comes through a trade or a straight release, leaving one more layer of uncertainty before the season opener. [Read more 🡒]