The Atlanta Hawks are gearing up for a critical 2026 NBA offseason after finishing 10th in the Eastern Conference during the 2023/24 season. With a record of 40-42, they entered the 2024/25 postseason as the No. 8 seed but faced early elimination in the play-in tournament. New general manager Onsi Saleh recognized the need for change and executed several trades to reshape the roster. A notable move was trading last year's No. 13 overall pick, Derik Queen, to the New Orleans Pelicans for the 23rd pick, Asa Newell, and a favorable first-round pick for 2026 from either the Pelicans or the Bucks. Despite the controversy surrounding this trade, the Hawks ended up with the 8th pick in the draft lottery, which still holds significant value in a class filled with elite prospects. The Hawks also control the 23rd pick from Cleveland, and there is speculation they may look to trade that selection as well. Last offseason, the Hawks made headlines by trading Terance Mann, Georges Niang, and the No. 22 overall pick, Drake Powell, to acquire Kristaps Porzingis in a three-team deal. They also signed and traded Clint Capela to Houston, acquiring Nickeil Alexander-Walker and adding Luke Kennard in free agency. However, the Hawks decided against extending four-time All-Star Trae Young last summer, a decision that would later impact the team's dynamics. Young's injury limited him to just 10 games in the 2025/26 season, leading to his trade to the Washington Wizards in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. This trade initiated a series of moves that saw Porzingis traded to the Golden State Warriors, Kennard sent to the Lakers, and several other roster changes. These transactions resulted in a significant turnover but improved the team's performance as they approached the end of the season.