Atlanta might just have the best three-point shooting team in the league, a statement that would’ve been considered ridiculous just a season ago.
All of their offseason acquisitions, with the exception of N'Faly Dante, are above-average three point shooters. Two of these players, Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kennard, are the best shooters in the league at their respective positions.
With Zaccharie Risacher's movement shooting ability already on the roster, the Hawks have truly elite shooting talent.
Atlanta has now given Trae Young, one of the NBA's most dynamic shooting threats, additional lethal shooters to flank him. With these additions, the Hawks will feature one of the best (and most exciting) offenses across the NBA.
The Hawks could have a top-three shooting team next season
Four teams finished last season top-10 in both three point attempts and percentage: the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Oklahoma City Thunder.
An interesting common thread between these teams is postseason success, with the Thunder and Celtics winning the last two Finals and the Wolves fresh off back-to-back Western Conference Finals appearances. The Cavaliers haven't reached this level of success yet, but they are the favorites to win the East this year.
The Celtics, unfortunately, do not have the same roster they had last season. Half of their eight best shooters from last season will not suit up for the Celtics this year after losing Kristaps Porzingis, (most likely) Al Horford, and Jrue Holiday in the offseason, and Jayson Tatum to an Achilles injury. While the team will likely add talent around Tatum and Jaylen Brown in an attempt to secure another championship, this won't happen until Tatum returns in the 2026-27 season.
The Cavaliers are the biggest threat in the East to both the Hawks' postseason aspirations and their claim to being the best team from deep. They had five playoff-caliber players shoot over 40% from deep, led by Darius Garland's 7.1 attempts per game. Garland and former Hawk De'Andre Hunter create elite spacing for Donovan Mitchell to attack the paint.
But Cleveland also lost over half of these players, with Caris LeVert and Georges Niang being exchanged for Hunter, and Ty Jerome signing with the Grizzlies. While the Cavaliers are the team to beat in the East as we enter next season, losing this much shooting talent will have ripple effects on the team.
Above the Cavaliers in preseason rankings, however, are the Oklahoma City Thunder. They kept their entire 2025 Finals-winning core together and have given no reason to believe they can't improve next season. The Thunder have a devastating offense, led by three-level scorer Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Gilgeous-Alexander is flanked by the floor-spacing Isaiah Joe, Lu Dort, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams.
Considering both their top-tier shooting talent and their depth, the Thunder enter the season as the logical favorites to be the best shooting team in the league.
Minnesota also remains a contender for the best team from downtown, with Nickeil Alexander-Walker being their only significant loss after he signed with the Hawks this offseason. Anthony Edwards had a career year behind the arc last season, shooting 39.5% on an insane 10.3 attempts a game. With Mike Conley, Donte DiVincenzo, and Naz Reid spacing the floor, the Wolves have a lethal offensive unit.
Trae Young has shot at a higher percentage than Edwards from deep in four of Edwards' five NBA seasons, and the Hawks' supporting cast compares to Oklahoma City's as spacing options. With arguably the best three point shooting team in the league, the Hawks will be must-see TV next season.