The Atlanta Hawks have undergone drastic changes over the course of the past year and change. That's inevitably tasked head coach Quin Snyder with the unenviable burden of figuring out how to turn scattered pieces into a cohesive unit.
The Hawks still need to address the issues they're experiencing in the rebounding and interior defense departments, but they're knocking on the door of something special.
Atlanta is currently 1-3, which hardly instills optimism in its readiness to contend. On a per-game basis, it also ranks No. 27 in the NBA in second-chance points allowed, No. 28 in rebounds, and No. 29 in points allowed in the paint.
Until the Hawks find a way to keep opposing teams off the glass and away from the rim, there's only so much they can hope to achieve.
The progress made early in 2025-26 is unavoidable, however, as Snyder seems to be getting through in other areas. That includes the fact that Atlanta has allowed the fifth-fewest three-point field goals and ranks No. 9 in opponent three-point field goal percentage.
Resolving the rebounding issue will be easier said than done, but if the Hawks manage to do so, they could compete with the best in the Eastern Conference.
Hawks' interior is struggling, but they're dangerously close to complete
Atlanta currently has two players averaging at least 20.0 points per game: Kristaps Porzingis at 23.5 and Trae Young at 20.8. Another three contributors are averaging upward of 15.0 points per contest: Jalen Johnson at 19.7, Onyeka Okongwu at 16.0, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker at 15.8.
Even if some of those numbers come down, it's entirely fair to believe the likes of Dyson Daniels, Luke Kennard, and Zaccharie Risacher will increase their averages based on history alone.
With as many as eight players capable of scoring in double figures on any given night, the Hawks' offensive potential is prolific. There are shot creators at all five positions, as well as capable floor spacers who should find more efficiency once the new additions settle into place.
Once that realistic scenario plays out, Atlanta will be able to capitalize on the early signs of progress being made and utilize multiple entry points and the untapped defensive potential of its personnel to finally finish a season above .500.
Hawks were always going to need time to put the pieces together
Atlanta has no fewer than six players who have the tools to be high-level defenders. That includes guards Alexander-Walker and Daniels—the latter of whom finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2024-25—forwards Johnson and Risacher, and centers Okongwu and Porzingis.
The criticism of Young's defensive inconsistency will persist until years of film is discredited by sustained improvement, but Atlanta has enough talent to right the ship overall.
Offensively, Johnson and Porzingis are already showing signs of chemistry after combining for 52 points on 22-of-35 shooting the last time out. Alexander-Walker started the season by shooting 2-of-15 from the field, but has since scored at least 17 points in three consecutive games on 51.3 percent shooting.
Young, meanwhile, is coming off of a game in which he had 21 points and 17 assists. Somehow, those numbers weren't much of a surprise to Hawks fans.
With as much talent as the Hawks have in place, it seems to only be a matter of time before the quiet improvements take hold and struggling players regress to the mean. Kennard, for instance, is shooting 30.0 percent from beyond the arc, but is a career 43.7 percent shooter.
With the perimeter defense already rounding into form and the offense just waiting to flip the switch, it's only a matter of time until it all comes together for a Hawks team with 50-win potential.