The Atlanta Hawks made a clear statement this offseason: they intend to be taken seriously as contenders.
Following a disastrous trade for Dejounte Murray in 2022, Atlanta quickly rebuilt its roster around Trae Young with one of the most promising young cores in the league. Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, Onyeka Okongwu, and Zaccharie Risacher headline a strong supporting cast with tremendous upside.
The Hawks flashed their potential when they were fully healthy in 2025. The highlight of their season came during their run to the semi-finals of the NBA Cup, which included a marquee win over the New York Knicks in the quarterfinals.
Unfortunately, the season unraveled shortly after the NBA Cup. Johnson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury, and Atlanta was unable to replace his production. The Hawks finished 40-42, fell short in both of their Play-In Tournament games, and missed the playoffs.
After another underwhelming season, Atlanta’s front office decided it was time to shake things up. They were aggressive in the offseason to re-establish themselves as a threat in the Eastern Conference.
A Change in Management
The Hawks promoted Onsi Saleh to general manager on April 21, 2025, following the firing of Landry Fields.
Saleh was tasked with deciding how the Hawks would move forward during a period of uncertainty in the Eastern Conference. He determined the time is now to push towards contention.
Shifting Focus to Winning Now
Saleh’s first major move was acquiring all-star big Kristaps Porziņģis from the Boston Celtics in a three-team trade.
Porziņģis will drastically improve Atlanta’s offensive spacing as one of the best shooting big men in the league. His ability to stretch the floor will open up more driving lanes for Young and Johnson, while giving Young an elite pick-and-roll partner as both a roller and shooter.
Defensively, Porziņģis helps maintain Atlanta’s versatility. He can switch out onto perimeter players and uses his 7-foot-2 frame to protect the rim as a shot-blocker.
As a former NBA champion, Porziņģis also brings invaluable leadership to Atlanta’s young core. He knows what it takes to win and he can mentor the team’s young bigs like Johnson and Okongwu.
His presence elevates both Atlanta’s immediate ceiling and their long-term development.
Saleh Owns His First Draft Night
In his first draft, Saleh traded down from the 13th overall pick, securing extra assets from the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Hawks received the 23rd overall pick and an unprotected 2026 first-rounder—set to be the better of the Pelicans or Milwaukee Bucks picks, both of whom enter the 2026 season with uncertainty.
Then with the 23rd pick, they selected local product Asa Newell out of the University of Georgia.
Asa Newell’s Fit in Atlanta
Newell is a 6-foot-9 forward with tremendous upside. He was among the best finishing bigs in the draft class. He shot an astonishing 61% true-shooting percentage as an undersized center in one of college basketball’s most physical conferences.
Newell excels in transition, utilizing his athleticism and ball-handling to create easy scoring opportunities.
He’s praised for his high motor on defense, averaging over two blocks per game while showing strong perimeter mobility.
Under Quin Snyder, Newell projects as a natural fit. As a lob threat for Trae Young in pick-and-rolls, he could immediately make an impact off the bench.
While Newell struggled with his three-point shot in college (29.2%), he’s made strides during Summer League. In a standout performance against the Suns, he tallied 18 points and 11 rebounds on 7-for-9 shooting, including 4-for-5 from three. If that growth continues, he could quickly carve out a significant rotation role.
Saleh’s trade-down gamble may end up being one of the best deals of the 2025 Draft.
Atlanta’s Free-Agency Class
The Hawks entered free agency with significant cap space and the largest trade exception in the league at their disposal.
They used part of that flexibility in a sign-and-trade deal involving Nickeil Alexander-Walker from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Atlanta also signed veteran sharpshooter Luke Kennard to a one-year, $11 million contract and took a low-risk flyer on high-upside wing Caleb Houstan with a one-year deal.
What the New Acquisitions Bring
Alexander-Walker will be an important man off the bench for Atlanta. He’s an elite on-ball defender and the energy he brings off the bench will drastically improve the Hawks’ defense. Offensively, he adds versatility as a driver and secondary playmaker who is capable of running the show when Young rests.
Kennard brings consistency as one of the league’s most efficient three-point shooters. His career 43.8% from deep, along with some on-ball creation, will be valuable off Atlanta’s bench. While defense isn’t his strength, his offensive spacing will negate those concerns.
Houstan is still a project, but has tremendous upside. Standing at 6-foot-8 and coming off a season where he shot 40% from three, he provides another wing option with shooting potential. If he develops, he could become a gem of an offseason signing.
What’s Next for the Hawks?
The Hawks aren’t finished with the offseason just yet. With Trae Young eligible for an extension, they will have to reach a deal with their franchise cornerstone to insure their offseason investments.
Atlanta has roster spots remaining, as the team will continue looking for depth and value.
With the Eastern Conference wide open, the Hawks are doing everything they can to capitalize on the opportunity.
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