After reshaping their roster this offseason, the Atlanta Hawks enter the 2026-27 campaign hoping their moves are enough to secure a top-six seed and avoid another trip through the NBA's play-in tournament.
The Atlanta Hawks entered the offseason focused on improving their roster, making another playoff run, and challenging teams in the top five league standings.
After a series of roster additions through the draft and free agency, Atlanta will enter the 2026-27 season with the aspiration of advancing out of the first round of the postseason.
However, with Giannis Antetokounmpo joining the Miami Heat and Kawhi Leonard reuniting with the Toronto Raptors, the Hawks' position in the Eastern Conference could shift slightly.
The Hawks' front office's approach to rebuilding organically and developing this roster with youth may be an advantage that most teams in the East don't have.
Atlanta's Youth
Free agency began on June 30 at 6:00 p.m. ET, but Atlanta's front office has been adding pieces since the NBA Draft. The franchise drafted Kingston Flemings at No. 8 and Zuby Ejiofor at No.23.
In addition to drafting two young explosive players, the organization extended CJ McCollum to a one-year, $21 million contract and signed Jock Landale to a one-year, $14 million contract. Coupled with the signings, Atlanta traded for Aaron Wiggins from the Oklahoma City Thunder for two second-round picks.
The franchise acquired Devin Carter from the Sacramento Kings. Both Wiggins and Carter are under 30 years old. Right now, if the season started today, the starting lineup could consist of McCollum, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, and Onyeka Okongwu.
Needless to say, this roster will have more depth at all positions. The second unit could feature Flemings, Corey Kispert, and Aaron Wiggins. During the postseason, Atlanta struggled with offensive consistency, protecting the rim, and a stable rotation. Yet, their youth with playoff experience could help prep them. Atlanta is the third-youngest team in the Eastern Conference at an average of 23.79 years.
While the Hawks could still make more moves this offseason, the franchise has made solid moves to help them avoid the play-in spot, but not solely based on their roster changes.
Eastern Conference Slide
Atlanta finished the 2025-26 season with a 46-36 record, landing them in the sixth slot in league standings. However, a lack of movement and age may help them avoid the play-in slot, which is seventh to tenth place in the standings.
Last season, the top five spots were occupied by the Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, who went on to win the NBA championship, Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Toronto Raptors.
Atlanta finished at No.6 and could move up to the fifth seed. Boston recently shopped Jaylen Brown as a trading piece to land Antetokounmpo and failed to complete the trade.
Since the failed trade attempt, Brown has been at the center of debate, analysts, and trade rumors, and the writing may be on the wall. He helped lead the Celtics to No.2 while Jayson Tatum recovered from an Achilles tear. While Tatum did return early, he is still recovering and getting his legs under him.
Brown averaged 28.7 points (4th), 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists while shooting 47.7 percent from the floor last season.
A team without Brown could sink the Celtics unless they sort out the trade rumors and re-engage him.
Play-In
The Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets, and Miami Heat finished at the bottom and played in the play-in tournament. The Hornets may fall further from contention now that LaMelo Ball is with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The 76ers continue to struggle with injuries, and their big three of Paul George, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey are on the court at the same time. Injury and age will plague this team from improving, and they will remain at the bottom.
Orlando has a young core and could possibly move up but with a new coach they will have to learn a new system which could set their progress back. The Miami Heat will be one team that could possibly challenge Altanta for the sixth or fifth seed.
Although Miami's roster still needs to be built around Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, it's hard to count out what Pat Riley can do in the front office and how Erik Spolostra can coach, especially being in a situation before having to scrap a roster together around two or three stars.
