The Atlanta Hawks are entering their first full season without Trae Young, aiming to build on a 46-win campaign that ended with a 89-140 loss to the New York Knicks on April 30, 2026. They've reshaped their roster with several key additions, including Luguentz Dort and Aaron Wiggins, while retaining playoff hero CJ McCollum. The team's recent form shows five consecutive losses, highlighting the challenge ahead as they pivot to a new identity under head coach Quin Snyder.
What did the Atlanta Hawks do this offseason?
The Hawks were opportunistic following last season's Trae Young trade. They acquired defensive stopper Luguentz Dort and versatile wing Aaron Wiggins in separate deals with the Oklahoma City Thunder. These moves are designed to provide more support for emerging star Jalen Johnson.
Atlanta also kept veteran guard CJ McCollum on a one-year, $21 million deal. McCollum was instrumental in their two first-round playoff wins against the eventual champion Knicks. The Hawks used the No. 8 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft on guard Kingston Flemings, who will back up McCollum.
Other key additions include guards Ryan Nembhard and Devin Carter, plus big men Zuby Ejiofor and Henri Veesaar. The team re-signed center Jock Landale. Major departures include 2024 No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher, Jonathan Kuminga, Gabe Vincent, and Keaton Wallace. You can view the full updated roster on our [squad](/squad) page.
Why did they trade Zaccharie Risacher?
Zaccharie Risacher is considered one of the biggest draft misses in recent years. ESPN's Ben Golliver noted the 46-win Hawks were statistically better with Risacher off the court last season. He pointed to a perceived lack of burst, playmaking, and a takeover mentality needed for a lead scorer.
Risacher ranks just 20th in his 2024 draft class by career win shares. He has been outperformed by several players drafted after him, including Stephon Castle, Baylor Scheierman, Kyle Filipowski, and Oso Ighodaro. His trade value had fallen so much that Atlanta did not recoup a first-round pick in the three-team deal with Dallas and Oklahoma City.
Instead, the Hawks received guards Luguentz Dort and Ryan Nembhard to bolster their depth. General Manager Onsi Saleh, promoted last summer, decided to move on quickly from the former top pick.
Can Jalen Johnson lead this team to a playoff series win?
The defining question for Atlanta's season is whether Jalen Johnson can lead this team to a playoff series win. Jalen Johnson averaged 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 7.9 assists last season after the team handed him the keys following the Young trade. His development into a true star is the single biggest factor for the Hawks' short-term ceiling.
ESPN analyst Zach Kram gave the Hawks an A- grade for their offseason. He noted they might not have added a single new starter, but dramatically upgraded their bench to raise the team's floor. Acquiring Dort, Wiggins, and Carter in salary dump trades provides Quin Snyder with much more flexibility and defensive options.
The Hawks are loaded with young wings hoping to follow Nickeil Alexander-Walker's path. Alexander-Walker won the NBA's Most Improved Player award last season under Snyder's guidance. Johnson will need similar growth to raise a team that lost its last five games, including a playoff defeat to the Knicks.
What is the outlook for the 2026-27 season?
The Hawks' success hinges on internal improvement. With a deeper, more versatile bench, Quin Snyder can experiment with rotations to find the best fits around Jalen Johnson. The addition of defensive-minded players like Dort should help a team that struggled at times last season.
CJ McCollum's leadership and shot-making remain vital, especially in clutch moments. Rookie Kingston Flemings will have a chance to learn from the veteran. The team's performance can be tracked throughout the season on our [stats](/stats) and [standings](/standings) pages.
Atlanta's final game of the 2025-26 season, a 89-140 loss to New York, serves as a stark reminder of the gap they must close. Building a cohesive identity without a traditional superstar point guard is their new challenge. The front office has given Snyder a roster filled with defensive potential and youth, betting on their coach's system and Johnson's ascent to carry them back into playoff contention.
