The Atlanta Hawks have been honored in ESPN's NBA offseason survey as the franchise that had the best summer in 2025. It's a well-earned distinction for a front office that set the wheels in motion for both immediate and long-term improvement.
As a result, franchise player Trae Young should be reminiscing about the Hawks' magical run to the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals and how realistic it is that he could rediscover that glory in 2025-26.
Atlanta made several massive changes to the roster, adding the likes of Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Luke Kennard, and Kristaps Porzingis. It also acquired a 2026 first-round draft pick from the New Orleans Pelicans, which many expect to be among the most valuable assets on the board.
In ESPN's NBA offseason Survey, 20 NBA coaches, executives, and scouts voted on who had the best summer, with Atlanta claiming an Association-leading seven votes.
That may not seem like the most significant of statistical results, but the next-leading team was the Denver Nuggets with four. In other words: Atlanta received 35 percent of the votes, while the franchise that finished second came in at a distant 20 percent.
With moves that center around contending in a depleted Eastern Conference in 2025-26 and building for the future, the Hawks have given Young what he needs to compete again.
ESPN survey results show Hawks had best offseason in 2025
Porzingis is likely to be slotted in as the starting center and will play with every ounce of necessary motivation to secure a second career All-Star Game selection. He'll be an unrestricted free agent in 2026 and could thus be the latest in a long line of contract-year standouts.
It's a realistic dream considering the NBA champion has averaged 21.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, and 2.1 three-point field goals made on .470/.371/.834 shooting over his past seven seasons.
Alexander-Walker could ultimately prove similar in value as a two-way player capable of spending minutes at every position from 1 to 3. He's fresh off of helping the Minnesota Timberwolves make consecutive trips to the Western Conference Finals as an efficient shooter who isn't afraid to take difficult shots.
Compounded by his defensive versatility, Alexander-Walker should be in the running for Sixth Man of the Year if he comes off the bench in 2025-26.
Kennard, meanwhile, is a top-tier sharpshooter who should help put the finishing touches on the efforts to improve upon Atlanta ranking No. 18 in three-point field goal percentage in 2024-25. That alone should help the Hawks limit the offensive droughts that so often overburdened Young and Jalen Johnson as scorers and playmakers.
Compounded by the addition of intriguing bigs such as Charles Bassey and N'Faly Dante, and the continue development of Dyson Daniels, Johnson, and Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta should compete.
The timing couldn't be better for Atlanta to take a significant step forward. Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum suffered Achilles injuries during the 2025 NBA Playoffs, thus creating the realistic possibility that the past two Eastern Conference champions could be out of the title picture in 2025-26.
Atlanta has gone all-in on what could be the final season of Young's current contract, and he has every reason to dream of a second trip to the Conference Finals because of the moves it's made.