Atlanta won big at the 2026 NBA Draft and made a litany of moves during free agency this offseason. Most notably, they managed to replace Zaccharie Risacher with Lu Dort after completing a wild three-team trade.
Now, the Hawks finally have the 3&D wing they've been waiting for, but there are three things he must show in order to take them to that next level.
3. Better shot selection
One of the reasons why Oklahoma City Thunder GM Sam Presti was fine with letting go of his undrafted steal was because of Dort’s field goal percentage. Last season, he shot 38.5% from the field, the lowest of his professional career.
This could be attributed to a multitude of factors, most notably OKC’s scoring hierarchy. Dort played alongside three All-Stars: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams.
All three players have very high usage in Head Coach Mark Daigneault’s system, so Dort’s opportunities were relatively sporadic throughout last season. Some games he would get nine to 12 shots, while other games he wouldn’t get more than four attempts.
It’s hard to get into a rhythm as a shooter with an inconsistent shot diet, so joining the Hawks will give Dort a new lease on life. While the Hawks led the league in team assists (30.1), the Thunder ranked 19th (25.8).
Hawks Head Coach Quin Snyder prioritizes ball movement, so Dort will naturally have more opportunities. He will fit right in with his shooting stroke and have more opportunities for shot creation.
The entire league saw Nickeil Alexander-Walker's scoring average rise to 20.8 points from 9.4 in Atlanta, so Dort can replicate a similar result on a smaller scale.
2. Consistent POA defense
A large part of the Hawks’ resurgence last season was their improved defense. We saw Dyson Daniels single-handedly shift the narrative surrounding Atlanta’s defense during the 2024-25 season, and Alexander-Walker gave even more help during the 2025-26 season.
Adding Dort to the equation has given the Hawks four reliable defenders, including fourth-year forward Mouhamed Gueye. However, Lu will find himself guarding the best player on a nightly basis.
Partly because he is stronger than Daniels and Alexander-Walker. Although he’s only 6’4, Dort weighs 220 pounds with a stocky frame. His strong body will make him a point-of-attack defender on the perimeter for Snyder and the coaching staff.
Having four reliable defenders might seem like a lot compared to other teams, but it’s quite common amongst the league’s upper echelon. Championship contenders like the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and Philadelphia 76ers also have multiple high-level defenders.
This is just the Eastern Conference. Not to mention the Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs, and Oklahoma City Thunder, all rostering multiple great defenders as well.
If Dort can form a three-man defensive tandem with Daniels and Alexander-Walker, the Hawks have a real chance of defeating these ball clubs during the regular season.
1. Leadership during the postseason
The last thing that Hawks fans should look out for will be Lu Dort’s leadership during the postseason. Barring any health issues, the 2026-27 Atlanta Hawks will make the playoffs with their eyes set on advancing past the first round.
It will not be easy since the standings for this upcoming season will be extremely close in the Eastern Conference. The 76ers acquired LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, while the Toronto Raptors have re-acquired superstar forward Kawhi Leonard.
Even the Cleveland Cavaliers added Peyton Watson to their star-studded roster, and this season will be business as usual for New York and Boston.
So, the Hawks will face a major litmus test in the first round, regardless of their seed. They were blindsided by the Knicks' aggression and physicality last summer. Although they know what to expect in playoff basketball, Dort’s championship pedigree will provide serenity in times of trepidation.
Dort played 54 playoff games for OKC during his seven-year tenure, making him one of the most experienced members of this young Hawks team. If Lu embraces the veteran role off the bench, he’ll shine during his first year with the Hawks and open the door for a contract extension to stay in Atlanta long-term.
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