The Atlanta Hawks open training camp in Nashville with two clear position battles set to define their bench rotation. While the starting five returns intact, competitions at backup point guard and on the wing will be vital for depth. The team looks to improve after a tough end to last season, which saw them lose their final three games, including a heavy 89-140 defeat to the New York Knicks on April 30, 2026.
Rookie Kingston Flemings, the 8th overall pick, is the anticipated choice for the primary backup point guard role. The Hawks desperately needed a true playmaker, and Flemings displayed high-level passing in Summer League. But the job is not his by default. The three-team trade that brought Lu Dort to Atlanta also involved other pieces who could factor in. The coaching staff will want to see Flemings run the offense against NBA-level pressure in camp. His ability to create for others, something CJ McCollum and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are less focused on, could be a real difference-maker for the second unit.
The acquisition of veteran Lu Dort solidifies one wing spot, but minutes behind him are wide open. This is where training camp intensity will spike. Players will be fighting for every second of playing time on the perimeter. Performance in defensive drills, three-point shooting consistency, and hustle plays will determine who earns the trust of the coaching staff. These backup wing roles are essential for providing defensive energy and floor spacing when the starters rest.
Strong bench play is non-negotiable for a team aiming to return to the playoffs. A reliable backup point guard stabilizes the offense when the star is off the floor. Effective wing defenders can change the flow of a game. Settling these rotations in camp, rather than during the regular season, gives the Hawks a much better foundation. It allows for chemistry to develop and roles to become clear before the real tests begin.
The Hawks' 2025-26 campaign ended with a difficult first-round playoff series against the Knicks. After stealing two close wins on the road (107-106 on April 21 and 109-108 on April 23), the series shifted. Atlanta then dropped three straight, culminating in that 89-140 loss in Game 6. Giving up 126 and 140 points in consecutive playoff games showed the defensive challenges they faced. Improving the bench, particularly with defensive-minded players, is a direct response to those struggles. Training camp is the first step in building a roster capable of a longer postseason run.
