It's no secret the Atlanta Hawks had one of the best offseasons this year, and ESPN' and CBS's offseason grades are the latest proof. Of the 30 NBA teams, Atlanta and Houston took home the highest grades in the ESPN rankings, both earning an "A" grade for their team-building efforts. CBS was even more bullish on the Hawks, receiving an A+ from Sam Quinn.
The Hawks undeniably made a series of great moves, turning a 1st round pick, Terance Mann, Georges Niang, and the 13th pick (Derik Queen) into Kristaps Porzingis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Luke Kennard, the 23rd pick (Asa Newell), and the 2026 New Orleans 1st rounder.
The talent upgrade alone is enough to launch Atlanta up the standings. Kristaps Porzingis is a championship-proven player. Alexander-Walker was the most coveted free agent of this class. Kennard and Newell are intriguing players who both address critical needs and have the potential to flourish in the Hawks' system. The New Orleans pick was a ridiculous reward for the Hawks to move back 10 picks.
What makes this offseason truly special is how the Hawks simultaneously addressed all of their biggest needs. Last season revealed the core of a contending team, but exposed Atlanta's glaring issues. They lacked the versatility and shooting necessary to be a truly elite team, two areas that define success in the modern NBA.
The league is on high alert with Atlanta solving their key weaknesses
The Hawks' lack of shooting was the most pressing issue Onsi Saleh had to address. The team had no dangerous shooters outside of Trae Young, which enabled defenses to overcommit without worrying about giving up a three.
With the additions of Porzingis and Kennard, this is no longer the case. Porzingis is perhaps the best center in the league at spot-up threes, consistently nailing his shots at a high clip. He provides the Hawks with a new dimension, removing the opponent's center from the paint to guard the Latvian laser. This change alone is enough to revolutionize Atlanta's offense.
Porzingis's presence opens up the floor for the Hawks' elite slashing threats. Jalen Johnson has improved as an interior scorer each season and is primed for yet another breakout season with the space Porzingis opens up. Dyson Daniels and Zaccharie Risacher, while less threatening at the rim than Johnson, will get the easiest looks of their career this year.
Kennard is a different type of deep threat as a truly elite movement shooter. Kennard has shot over 45% from three over the past five seasons(!!!),leading the league in three point percentage twice in that span. Kennard doesn't provide the same three-level scoring Porzingis does, but his presence on the floor demands the defense's attention.
The days of sagging in the paint against Atlanta are long gone.
Alexander-Walker provides a stabilizing presence as an elite two-way guard. When paired with Dyson Daniels, the two can match up with just about any perimeter duo in the league. Teams like the Cavaliers, who trouble opposing defenses with their pair of offense-first guards, will struggle heavily against the length and defense the Hawks can roll out.
The Hawks are a fundamentally different team than they were last year, despite retaining the same core. They shored up their weaknesses, loaded the roster with talent, while only giving up marginal cap flexibility and trade assets.
Pundits still have the Cavaliers and Knicks in a tier above the Hawks, but expect that to change by the time the postseason rolls around.