On paper, the Atlanta Hawks made improvements from last season. Although they didn’t have the most exciting offseason, they made enough progress to build on last season’s accomplishments.
Hawks GM Onsi Saleh used this offseason to establish an identity. There is no doubt that Atlanta expects to be among the top defensive teams in the NBA next season. A common theme of the Trae Young era was that the Hawks had a great offense, but a not-so-great defense. Of course, that isn’t entirely Young’s fault, but now that Atlanta has moved on, its roster construction and philosophy have shifted.
The Hawks made big improvements to become a top defensive team. On offense, Atlanta has prioritized athleticism, which allows them to excel in transition. For instance, the Hawks ranked fourth in the NBA last season in transition possessions and points per game.
Atlanta will enter next season with a clear identity. That said, one major question remains if the Hawks want to reach their potential.
The Atlanta Hawks Have Pace Without Space
Because they frequently play in transition, the Hawks ranked fifth in the NBA in pace last season. Their offensive identity involved turning defense into offense and running in transition. Last season, Atlanta finished 10th in points in the paint (just over 51.1 PPG). The Hawks’ style of play made players like Jonathan Kuminga a great fit last season.
Ideally, Atlanta can run lineups that include Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Luguentz Dort. That trio fits perfectly with what worked last year.
But, while all three are very good perimeter defenders, questions about their offensive impact persist. A major factor in the New York Knicks taking control of their most recent playoff series versus the Hawks was slowing them down. While Atlanta ranked top five in pace, New York was towards the bottom. The Knicks forced the Hawks to play slow and in the halfcourt, where Atlanta was less effective.
It did not help that the Hawks lacked spacing and reliable shooting. Even if Daniels and Dort are lockdown defenders, their poor shooting might cause Quin Snyder to rethink playing them together.
For context, Dort is a career 36% shooter from three, but runs either really hot or cold. Daniels shot under 19% from there last season.
For the Hawks to be successful, they will have to improve their shooting to provide adequate floor spacing. A mark of 18% from three for a guy like Daniels is an unsustainably low number. He must prove he can provide occasional knockdown shooting.
Teams Will Try To Slow Atlanta Down
Last year, it became clear the Atlanta Hawks struggled in the halfcourt. Teams heading into this year will attempt to slow them down and force them to become a half-court team.
CJ McCollum can ignite the offense with his shot creation. But the lack of a true point guard in Atlanta might hurt their offense when the game bogs down.
One downside to losing Young was his ability to bend defenses. Young could create offense for himself, but he also generated looks for his teammates. Say what you want about Young: he’s one of the best offensive engines in the league and a driving force behind previous high-scoring offenses in Atlanta.
While Jalen Johnson has developed into a premier point forward, his shot creation game is still a work in progress.
Last season, Johnson scored just 0.78 points per possession in isolation plays. Of note, Atlanta was second-to-last in the NBA last year in isolation possessions. Atlanta opts to move the basketball, and their passing statistics reflect that. After all, they ranked first in the NBA in assists per game.
As the NBA shifts to more isolation basketball, having players who can create their own shot becomes increasingly important.
The Hawks’ identity begins on the defensive end of the floor, but their offense will come with question marks. If Atlanta can’t find points off turnovers or in transition, it might be a long night for them. That being said, the Hawks still ranked top ten in points per game last year. They were still able to play at the fast pace they wanted and generate good offense.
However, when the 2027 playoffs come around, the game may slow down, which may not play to Atlanta’s favor, as it did in 2026.
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