The Atlanta Hawks didn’t spend the offseason chasing the loudest headlines, but they may have done the kind of work that matters more. While plenty of Eastern Conference teams grabbed attention, Atlanta stayed patient, kept important pieces in place, added three rookies, and made trades that should help the roster hold up better over the long haul.
That matters because the Hawks’ biggest issue last season showed up late, then followed them into the playoffs: depth. Atlanta went after that problem directly.
Lu Dort and Aaron Wiggins should play major roles in the rotation, and No. 8 overall pick Kingston Flemings has a chance to give the team a real lift as the backup point guard. Jock Landale is back as the No. 2 center, and Mouhamed Gueye, Zuby Ejiofor, and Asa Newell could all be ready to make meaningful jumps.
The one spot that still looks unsettled is No. 3 center. Last season, when Landale was out, the Hawks had no real answer there.
Right now, that job would fall to Henri Veesaar, Ejiofor, or Gueye, and that is a lot to ask from rookies. Gueye also is not viewed as a center.
Still, Atlanta is in a much better place than it was a year ago. The team may not be sitting in the top tier of Eastern Conference contenders, but it is deeper and more talented than last season’s group.
The defense should be one of the clearest selling points. Atlanta is set to open the season with one of the best collections of perimeter defenders in the NBA.
Dyson Daniels is coming off consecutive All-Defensive team selections, Dort brings a physical edge, and Wiggins and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are both strong defenders as well. Rim protection remains the question, but the Hawks should be a rugged team to deal with every night.
There is also a bigger-picture reason for optimism. Atlanta did not make splashy moves, but it put itself in position to chase the next star when that player becomes available, whether through a trade or free agency.
McCollum, Dort, Landale, Gueye, and Nembhard are all on expiring contracts that add up to nearly $60 million. If the Hawks turn down Devin Carter’s team option in October, that number would grow. Buddy Hield also has a non-guaranteed contract for next season.
If the right player hits the market, Atlanta has both the salaries and the draft picks to make a move. And if the timing is right next offseason, the Hawks could have plenty of cap space to pursue free agents or set up trades that fit into that space. Nothing is promised in the NBA, but Atlanta has clearly put itself in a strong spot to strike when the opportunity comes.
In Other News...
Hawks Could Catch A Break If Detroit's Biggest Problem Drags On
Jalen Durens situation in Detroit is the kind of subplot that can ripple well beyond one front office. The Pistons All-Star big man remains in restricted free agency, and the two sides still appear to be working from different places in contract talks, leaving a key piece of Detroits roster in limbo as the season approaches.
For the Hawks, the timing matters because Duren was a problem for them last season, giving Atlanta serious trouble inside when the teams met. If Detroits biggest unresolved issue lingers and the Pistons head into the year without that kind of anchor settled, it could trim some of the edge from a team the Hawks may have to chase in the East. [Read more 🡒]
Hawks Fans Have A New Reason To Debate Who's Underrated
With NBA2K27 now out worldwide, Hawks fans have a fresh way to size up the roster before the real games begin. Atlanta landed in Tier 2 with an 81 overall rating, a respectable mark that still leaves room for debate, especially when a game like this turns every lineup decision into a public conversation.
Jalen Johnson heads the team at 87 overall, but the more interesting discussion is around the players sitting just below him. Onyeka Okongwu, Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are the names most likely to fuel the usual too low arguments, and their early ratings give supporters another reason to watch how the season unfolds. As always with a new 2K release, the numbers are only the opening statement, and the real argument will come from how those players perform once the games start counting. [Read more 🡒]
Heat Concerns Could Matter More To Hawks Fans Than Expected
Ira Windermans look at the Heats backcourt situation is the kind of neighboring-development Hawks fans should keep an eye on, especially with Miami expected to be in the same crowded slice of the Eastern Conference. Davion Mitchell gives the Heat a solid starting point at point guard, but the overall shape of the roster still matters for a team trying to stay in the contender conversation in a conference where small advantages can swing the standings.
FanDuel has Miami and Toronto projected to land tied for sixth in the East at 45 1/2 wins, which would put both teams in the mix for a play-in path and make every depth question feel a little louder. For Atlanta, that means one more rival whose margin for error could be tested over the course of the season, and the Heats ability to steady the position behind Mitchell may wind up being part of the bigger picture even if it does not look like it right away. [Read more 🡒]