Things are starting to get very exciting for the Atlanta Hawks. A franchise that felt stuck just a year ago has quickly reshaped itself into a contender, and now appears to be one frontcourt addition away from being a legitimate threat to win the Eastern Conference.
That might have sounded far-fetched not long ago, but this version of the Hawks looks nothing like the one that was stuck in limbo without a clear path back to contending. With the right final move, Atlanta could land somewhere the fanbase did not expect to be this quickly.
Of course, the first real shift happened back in May of 2024, when Atlanta won the draft lottery and then selected Zaccharie Risacher first overall a month later. That move gave the franchise a high-upside two-way wing to grow alongside Trae Young and Jalen Johnson. But what followed this summer is what truly vaulted the Hawks into a new tier.
The front office of course added Kristaps Porzingis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard, giving this group size, spacing, and a more complete roster identity. Atlanta has very effectively restructured itself around players who best fit Quin Snyder’s vision.
The Hawks are one more big away from being maybe an East favorite
Even with all those changes, there is still one gap that stands out. The Hawks need one more frontcourt player, and preferably someone who can help anchor the interior alongside Porzingis.
The Latvian big man has plenty to offer when healthy, but asking him to hold down the middle on his own for 82 games and a potential playoff run is a risk, especially considering his health troubles this past season in Boston. Adding one more reliable presence in the paint would go a long way toward giving this team the physicality it needs to match up with the East’s elite.
What makes the situation especially intriguing is that Atlanta actually has the flexibility to make it happen. Between the extra 2026 first-round pick they landed from the Pelicans, a collection of tradeable contracts, and a young core that continues to develop, the Hawks have real optionality. That is a rare luxury for a team this close to contention.
It has taken smart drafting, aggressive front office moves, and some good fortune to get here, but the Hawks are no longer drifting in the East. They are rising, and if they find the right big to round out this rotation, they might find themselves playing deeper into spring than anyone expected.