Another year means another opportunity for the Atlanta Hawks to take a step forward and prove their detractors wrong, and there are two key ways they can do that in 2024-25.
They have already moved to address one of the items and could sneak their way to the other.
1) Hawks Can Rank Top 15 in Offense & Defense
Last off-season, General Manager Landry Fields prioritized improving the Hawks’ defense after a disappointing 36-46 season. They’ve had one of the worst defensive ratings in the league for the past few seasons and made the playoffs mainly because of their offensive talent. According to Statmuse.com, the Hawks were ranked 12th in offensive rating last season, which is relatively high for a 36-win team.
Now, they can establish a new identity with their additions to the team and dispel the narrative surrounding the team’s defense. Acquiring Dyson Daniels was a massive boost to the roster as he is one of the best defenders in the league. His disruption in the passing lanes and point-of-attack defense will completely change the team's dynamic. Forward De’Andre Hunter carried most of the defensive responsibility, but now the Hawks can switch depending on the matchup.
Daniels gives them much-needed defensive versatility with his size at the guard position. During media day on September 30th, He talked about embracing his role as one of the best defenders on the roster.
“Im gonna take the challenge of guarding the best player every night, and be the backbone for guys like Trae. Being able to switch and guard one through four,” said Daniels “I want to be everywhere on the floor, I have a big goal this year of trying to make First-Team All-Defense, and im gonna go out there and try to make that happen.”
Along with Daniels, the Hawks also acquired Larry Nance Jr in the Pelicans trade and he will help with their interior defense. He is an athletic forward who can defend power forwards and centers. Nance Jr also has chemistry with Daniels from their time on the Pelicans together, and he will make a great veteran for the locker room as he enters his 10th year in the NBA.
It is unlikely the Hawks will make any more free agency moves so this will be the final roster for the upcoming season. Their defense shows signs of improvement, and they’ve always had an adequate offense. Now they just have to develop the chemistry and execute on the court.
2) Hawks can avoid Play-In Tournament to increase chances for deep playoff run
Avoiding the Play-In tournament should be a top priority for the Hawks this season. The beginning of their schedule gives them the chance to have a positive record from the start of the year and a chance to maintain it throughout the season. Out of their first 11 games, they face the Charlotte Hornets, Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, and Chicago Bulls in six of the matchups.
DraftKings Sportsbooks have predicted the Hawks will win 36.5 games this season, but they can easily extend that to 47+ wins, which could potentially make them a 6th seed. In the six years Young has led the franchise, the Hawks have made the postseason three times. During media day, he expressed his desire to win this season and return to the playoffs in year seven.
“My goal every year is to win, i don’t play basketball to just play, my goal is to win, every night we step out there I feel like we can win,” said Young “ I wanna be better than where we were last year, so we weren’t in the playoffs, we need to be back in the playoffs, regardless of how anyone looks at our team, we need to be back in there.”
It’s well-documented that Young raises his game in the postseason, and he can produce amazing results with a good supporting cast. Avoiding the Play-In tournament allows the Hawks to acclimate to the pace of the playoffs against moderate competition rather than the best two teams in the Eastern Conference.
Why Is It Important For The Hawks To Reach These Goals?
I listed these two goals in particular because if the Hawks accomplish them, it will signify the dawn of a new era in Atlanta. NBA fans may feel their Eastern Conference Finals run was a fluke, and they struggled to construct a team to replicate the success of their 2021 roster after that. Three years later, the Hawks might have built the core that will put them back in the conference's upper echelon.
Opening night is on October 23rd, and they have an opportunity to establish a new standard. Last season they were decimated with injuries that derailed their postseason run. Now they have a fresh start with new faces and a chance to show the world the new Atlanta Hawks.