The Atlanta Hawks front office believes their aggressive summer moves have positioned the team as one of the most improved in the NBA heading into the 2025–26 season.
In a report published by Keith Smith of Spotrac, an Atlanta executive said, “We feel like we had one of the best offseasons in the entire league.” He credited the additions of Kristaps Porzingis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Luke Kennard as crucial to the Hawks’ depth and versatility.
The team also leaned heavily on Zaccharie Risacher’s development during his rookie campaign. According to Smith’s report, from Christmas onward, Risacher averaged 13.9 points per game with 50/40/73 shooting splits over the final 45 contests. “Zaccharie gave us the confidence to add to the roster,” the executive told Smith.
Atlanta further strengthened its future by landing Asa Newell in the draft and acquiring an additional 2026 first-round pick from the Pelicans via a draft-night trade. One Hawks coach described the draft as a “homerun,” adding that Newell brings a unique element to the frontcourt and will focus on energy and defense in his rookie year.
The team is also working on an extension for Dyson Daniels, who has become a strong complement to Trae Young. Smith reported that both parties are optimistic about finalizing a deal soon.
Not every player is guaranteed a smooth path, however. A Hawks scout expressed some concern to Smith about Kobe Bufkin, noting that while his athleticism stands out in Summer League, his shooting and durability remain question marks.
The Hawks open the 2025–26 season with expectations to compete in the Eastern Conference behind core players Young, Jalen Johnson, and the emerging Risacher. As the executive told Smith, “We won’t put any kind of expectations on our group, but we’re not putting any kind of artificial limits on them either.”
