Hawks Finding Their Identity Through Ball Movement, Emerging Stars, and a New Direction
While much of the country is dealing with winter storms, the Atlanta Hawks are weathering a different kind of storm-transition. At 23-25, they’re still under .500, but don’t let the record fool you. This team is quietly building something, and as we near the All-Star break, the signs of growth are undeniable.
The Hawks are riding a three-game winning streak, and the engine behind that momentum? Unselfish, high-IQ basketball.
They’re moving the ball with purpose-and at a rate that’s nearly unprecedented. According to NBA CrazyStats, Atlanta is averaging 31.1 assists per game, a number that doesn’t just lead the league-it puts them in rare historical company.
Only the 1978-79 Milwaukee Bucks (31.2) and the 1984-85 Showtime Lakers (31.4) have ever done it better.
That’s not just a fun stat-it’s a window into the Hawks’ new identity. This isn’t the iso-heavy, Trae-centric offense of years past.
This is a team embracing a pass-first mentality, and it’s unlocking the full potential of their young core. The ball isn’t sticking.
It’s zipping around the perimeter, cutting through defenses, and creating open looks. The result?
Atlanta currently ranks fifth in the league in three-point shooting percentage (37.1%), and the shot distribution across the roster has never looked more balanced.
Dyson Daniels: Thriving Without the Three
One of the more intriguing stories within this Hawks evolution is Dyson Daniels. In an era where shooting guards are expected to stretch the floor, Daniels is doing it his own way-without relying on the three-ball.
He’s averaging 11.8 points per game, but it’s how he’s getting those points that stands out. He’s using his slashing ability, court vision, and athleticism to carve up defenses.
Floaters, backdoor cuts, transition finishes-he’s finding ways to be effective without a consistent perimeter shot.
And it’s not just scoring. Daniels has stepped into a larger playmaking role, especially after Trae Young’s departure.
He’s dishing out 6.2 assists per game, second on the team behind Jalen Johnson’s 7.9. That duo-Johnson and Daniels-has become the heartbeat of this new-look Hawks offense.
Daniels may not have the full offensive package yet, but he’s making the most of what he does have, shooting an efficient 50.3% from the field and showing a knack for making the right play at the right time.
Just ask Micah Potter. In a recent matchup against the Pacers, Daniels delivered the kind of highlight that turns heads-a thunderous poster dunk that ignited the bench and sent a message. After the game, Daniels broke down the play with a smile:
"I caught it on the half-roll and I liked what I saw, so I went up and made the play. My coaches and teammates always tell me that they've never seen me dunk on anyone, so I told them, 'I'll give you one a year.'"
It was a moment that encapsulated what this season has been for Daniels: growth, confidence, and seizing opportunity.
Jalen Johnson: The New Face of the Franchise
At the center of it all is Jalen Johnson. If Daniels is the emerging glue guy, Johnson is the engine.
He’s leading the team with 349 assists so far, and he’s doing it from the forward position-point forward, to be exact. Johnson’s court vision, decision-making, and ability to create for others have been central to the Hawks’ offensive resurgence.
He’s not just scoring or rebounding-he’s orchestrating.
This evolution didn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of head coach Quin Snyder’s system taking root.
Since arriving in 2023, Snyder has been trying to reshape the Hawks’ identity. Now, with a roster more suited to his style-ball movement, versatility, and defense-his fingerprints are all over this team.
And for the first time in years, the Hawks’ starting five and bench unit feel cohesive.
A New Era in Atlanta
Let’s be clear: this isn’t a championship-or-bust season for Atlanta. The Hawks are building, not contending.
Trading Trae Young was a seismic move-one that had been looming for a while-but it still marked a turning point for the franchise. Now, they’re fully committed to a new direction.
Johnson is the face. Daniels is the spark.
And the team’s overall identity is shifting toward defense and unselfishness.
There are still gaps to fill-particularly at the center position-but the front office has a plan. With a potential top-3 draft pick on the horizon and a strong desire to keep the New Orleans Pelicans’ pick in-house, the focus is clearly on long-term sustainability.
Even with big names like Giannis Antetokounmpo floating around in trade rumors, the Hawks aren’t biting. They’re sticking to their blueprint.
And in a few days, that blueprint gets a stamp of validation. Jalen Johnson is expected to be named an NBA All-Star for the first time-an honor that goes beyond individual recognition.
It’s a signal that the Hawks’ rebuild isn’t just theoretical. It’s happening.
The pieces are in place. The style is taking shape.
And the future is starting to look a whole lot brighter in Atlanta.
For now, the wins may come in bunches or droughts. But the foundation?
That’s rock solid. And that’s what matters most.