An NBA executive has strongly stated the Atlanta Hawks had a 'terrific offseason,' a period of aggressive roster building following a tough playoff loss. The Hawks were swept by the New York Knicks in the first round, a series that ended with a 89-140 defeat on April 30, 2026, part of a five-game losing streak to close their campaign.
What did the Atlanta Hawks do this offseason?
The Hawks were exceptionally busy reshaping their roster. They secured veteran guard CJ McCollum with a contract extension and re-signed center Jock Landale. In a series of trades, Atlanta acquired defensive stalwart Lu Dort and Aaron Wiggins from the Oklahoma City Thunder, guard Devin Carter from the Sacramento Kings, and Ryan Nembhard from the Dallas Mavericks.
They also added three rookies in the 2026 NBA Draft: Kingston Flemings, Zuby Ejiofor, and Henri Veesaar. The executive highlighted the importance of wing depth, telling Hawks Roundtable, 'You can never have enough wings in today's NBA. That's why the Dort and Wiggins trades were huge.'
Why is Jalen Johnson central to the Hawks' future?
With Trae Young gone, Jalen Johnson is now the franchise cornerstone in Atlanta. He had a phenomenal 2025-26 season, averaging 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game. Johnson recorded 49 double-doubles and 13 triple-doubles in 72 games, establishing himself as a premier two-way threat.
The NBA executive sees even more room for growth. 'Jalen has so much untapped potential,' the exec said. 'If he ever gets a consistent jumper, look out. Atlanta might have a superstar. He's that good without a jumper. With a jump shot, he could be a top-10 player in this league.'
What is the expected lineup and outlook for next season?
Atlanta's projected starting five for the 2026-27 season is CJ McCollum, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, and Onyeka Okongwu. This group, supported by the new acquisitions, forms a long and versatile core focused on defense and playmaking.
The Hawks haven't won a playoff series since 2021, but they gained valuable experience last postseason. McCollum emphasized the internal focus, telling HoopsHype, 'I don't compare ourselves to others. Right now, it's about focusing on getting better individually and collectively. We can't control how other teams look.'
He added that building on their playoff experience against the eventual champion Knicks is key. The team's full schedule for the upcoming grind can be found on our [fixtures](/fixtures) page.
Can the Hawks turn their offseason into wins?
The executive's praise sets high expectations. Atlanta's recent form shows the scale of the challenge, having lost their last five games, all in the playoffs. But the front office has clearly addressed needs, particularly on the wing and with defensive grit.
It will be fascinating to see if Johnson can lead this retooled squad to a deeper playoff run. The Hawks begin their 2026-27 regular season on the road against the Orlando Magic, offering the first test for this new-look team. Their progress will depend on integrating the new pieces and Johnson's continued ascent.
