The Atlanta Hawks have the potential to lead the NBA in three-point percentage next season, a key step for a team looking to climb in the Eastern Conference. But the foundation for elite shooting is already in place under head coach Quin Snyder.
Leading the league in 3P% is a rare feat that often signals a serious contender. Recent champions like the Knicks and Celtics had elite shooting big men. The Hawks' own trajectory shows rapid improvement. After ranking 17th and 18th in 3P% in Snyder's first two seasons, they jumped to 5th last year. Adding CJ McCollum and Nickeil Alexander-Walker changed everything. McCollum shot above 37% from deep while ranking in the 89th percentile for volume. Alexander-Walker was even more efficient, landing in the 97th percentile. A full season with this backcourt provides a stable floor for the team's perimeter attack.
Modern NBA success requires centers who can space the floor. Karl-Anthony Towns, Kristaps Porzingis, and Nikola Jokic have proven that. The Hawks have their own answer in Onyeka Okongwu. His developing outside shot forces defenses to respect him on the perimeter. This opens driving lanes for creators and creates more open looks from the corner. When your five-man can shoot, the entire offensive geometry shifts. It's no longer a 4-out system but a true 5-out attack that stretches defenses to the breaking point.
Being an elite shooting team usually translates to playoff viability. Four of the past five regular season leaders in 3P% won over 50 games. The Hawks have not hit that mark under Snyder. Climbing to the top of the shooting rankings would signal they are ready to compete with the East's best. Consistent shooting could prevent those blowouts.
Improvement from within is also expected. Young players get better, and shooters like Bogdan Bogdanovic are candidates for positive regression. The system under Quin Snyder prioritizes quality looks from beyond the arc. If the Hawks can push their team percentage from 37% toward the 39% needed to lead the league, they become a much tougher out. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming schedule on our schedule page. The goal is clear: transform shooting potential into postseason wins.
