The Hawks have spent too many seasons living in the NBA’s gray area: good enough to be relevant but not stable enough to scare anyone in a seven game series. This is why landing a top 5 pick would be the cleanest way for Atlanta to break out of the cycle of mediocrity that keeps teams stuck in the middle. A pick that high is one of the few assets that can instantly change a franchise’s trajectory, whether the player becomes a star or the selection becomes the centerpiece of a future trade.
The simplest benefit is upside. Top 5 picks are not guarantees, but they are where teams typically find true cornerstones. The Hawks also control the most favorablepick between New Orleans and Milwaukee, which matters given the context. The Pelicans continue to sit among the worst teams in the West, while Milwaukee is currently the 12th seed and could trend even further downward as the Bucks appear headed toward a divorce with franchise star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Even if Atlanta already has young pieces it believes in, adding a premium prospect through that pick can consolidate the rebuild timeline and raise the overall talent level in a way small moves cannot. It also injects hope and direction into a roster that has too often tried to split the difference between developing and competing.
Upside, Flexibility, and Leverage All Increase With a Premium Pick
Beyond raw talent, a top 5 pick gives Atlanta flexibility that few other assets can match. It allows the front office to evaluate the roster honestly without feeling pressure to force a win now move. A high end rookie can grow alongside the current core, making it easier to build a team that fits the modern NBA with size, athleticism, and two way potential across multiple positions. That kind of internal growth is often more sustainable than chasing short term fixes.
There is also real value in clarity. A top 5 selection helps define roles and timelines, especially for younger players who need consistent reps to develop. The 2026 draft is widely viewed as one of the deepest classes in at least the last decade, which only increases the importance of picking near the top.
With prospects like Kingston Flemings, Jayden Quaintance, Nate Ament, and others potentially available around No. 5, Atlanta would be adding a player who fits the same developmental arc as the rest of the core and aligns with a long term vision rather than a short term push.
Instead of constantly reshuffling rotations to chase marginal improvements, the Hawks can commit to growth and structure. That clarity impacts everything from nightly rotations and coaching priorities to how cap space is allocated over the next few seasons.
Trade value cannot be ignored either. A top 5 pick is one of the league’s most powerful trade chips. Whether Atlanta uses it to draft a cornerstone, move up or down the board, or include it in a larger deal for a star who actually fits the timeline, the leverage matters. It gives the Hawks options instead of forcing them into reactive decisions when the pressure mounts.
It is understandable, and not surprising at all, that fans would hope the pick lands at No. 1 or even in the top three. That is the dream scenario in any draft and the quickest way to change a franchise’s outlook. But even if the Hawks land in the top 5, it should not be framed as failure. It should be viewed as opportunity. A premium pick can raise the ceiling, stabilize the direction of the franchise, and give Atlanta the flexibility to build something real instead of settling for the middle.