The Atlanta Hawks are entering the 2026-27 NBA preseason with a new franchise cornerstone and a clear defensive vision following their surprising 2025-26 campaign. After a strong finish last season, the team has traded former top pick Zaccharie Risacher and acquired elite defender Lu Dort from the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Hawks moved on from the 2024 number one overall pick after just two seasons. Zaccharie Risacher's fit became unclear, especially during the team's key 19-5 run to close the 2025-26 regular season. That surge happened after head coach Quin Snyder moved Risacher to a bench role. In 78 career games playing next to Trae Young, Risacher averaged 12.2 points per game. In 64 games without Young, his scoring dipped to 9.9 points per game. The organization ultimately progressed faster than the young forward could develop. Trading him to the Dallas Mavericks gives Risacher a fresh start on a young team under first-year coach Dusty May.
Acquiring Lu Dort signals a full commitment to defense. The Hawks finished in the top 10 in defensive rating last season for the first time since 2016-17. Before that, they were in the bottom 10 for six consecutive seasons from 2018-19 to 2023-24. Dort is one of the league's premier perimeter defenders. He joins a wing group featuring Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, forming a potentially stifling defensive unit. A major question for Dort will be his three-point shooting and floor spacing. If he can recapture his shot, it will open the floor for his defensive-minded teammates. This shift aligns with the post-Trae Young era, where Atlanta is going all-in on a defensive-minded approach.
With Jalen Johnson now the established franchise player, the Hawks believe they can contend in a loaded Eastern Conference. The team's 46-36 record last year, finishing ten games above .500, proved they could compete. They pushed the eventual champion New York Knicks further than any other playoff opponent. The offseason moves aim to build a contender around the All-NBA star Johnson. While rim protection remains a question, the Hawks could rank top five in steals and opponents' field goal percentage. Fans can track the team's progress through the upcoming preseason schedule on our schedule page.
Finishing 19-5 over the final 24 games was a massive achievement. Replicating that consistency over a full season is the next challenge. The roster turnover, with Risacher out and Dort in, changes the dynamic. The key will be integrating Dort's defensive intensity without sacrificing too much offensive flow. If Johnson continues his ascent and the new defensive pieces gel, Atlanta has a real chance to be more than just a surprise team. They aim to be a legitimate threat in the East.
