The Atlanta Hawks have been proactive this offseason, making significant moves to reshape their roster after a 36-46 finish in the 2023-24 season and an early exit in the Play-In Tournament. One of the most impactful changes was winning the NBA Draft Lottery and selecting French phenom Zaccharie Risacher with the first overall pick. Risacher brings defensive versatility and potential to guard multiple positions, aligning perfectly with head coach Quin Snyder’s defensive-minded approach.
In addition to the draft, the Hawks made a notable trade, sending Dejounte Murray to New Orleans for Dyson Daniels and Larry Nance Jr. Daniels, a strong defensive guard, will help mitigate Trae Young’s defensive weaknesses, while Nance provides depth and stability in the frontcourt. These moves aim to address long-standing defensive issues and enhance the team’s overall balance.
As the Hawks continue to navigate free agency, they are also focusing on retaining key players and exploring further trades to solidify their roster. The combination of strategic draft picks and targeted trades positions Atlanta to potentially make significant strides in the competitive Eastern Conference. With these new additions and a renewed focus on defense, the Hawks are set to enter the 2024-25 season with high hopes and a revamped strategy.
Point Guards
Trae Young, Dyson Daniels, Kobe Bufkin, Vit Krejci
Trae Young had an impressive 2023-24 season, averaging 25.7 points, 10.8 assists, and 2.8 rebounds per game across 54 games. His playmaking and scoring ability remain crucial for the Hawks, and he continues to be a key figure in their offensive strategies. Despite the team’s overall challenges, Young’s performance secured him a spot in his third All-Star game, highlighting his continued excellence and importance to the team.
Dyson Daniels, in his second NBA season, averaged 5.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game over 61 games. Known for his defensive prowess, Daniels also contributed 1.4 steals per game. His role will likely involve guarding the opposing team’s top perimeter players and providing support off the bench, complementing Trae Young’s offensive focus.
Kobe Bufkin, selected 15th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Hawks, is a promising young guard expected to provide depth at the point guard position. During his time in the G-League with the College Park Skyhawks, Bufkin showcased his potential by averaging 23.6 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game. His development will be crucial as he transitions to contributing more significantly at the NBA level.
Vit Krejci signed a new four-year, $10 million contract to return to the Hawks. Krejci provides additional depth and versatility at the point guard position. His ability to play both guard positions and his experience make him a valuable asset off the bench.
Shooting Guards
Bogdan Bogdanovic, Garrison Mathews, Seth Lundy
Bogdan Bogdanovic had a productive 2023-24 season, playing in 79 games and averaging 16.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. He maintained a shooting percentage of 42.8% from the field and 37.4% from three-point range. Bogdanovic’s scoring ability and experience make him a critical component of the Hawks’ offense, providing stability and consistent production throughout the season.
Garrison Mathews contributed as a role player for the Hawks, averaging 3.5 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game over 58 games. Known for his three-point shooting, Mathews shot 36.5% from beyond the arc. His ability to stretch the floor and deliver instant offense off the bench is valuable for the team’s second unit.
Seth Lundy, selected 46th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Hawks, is a new addition expected to bring energy and scoring potential. His college career at Penn State showcased his ability to shoot and defend, and his strong performance in the Summer League indicates that he can be a significant contributor for the Hawks.
Small Forwards
Zaccharie Risacher, De’Andre Hunter, Nikola Djurisic
Zaccharie Risacher, the Hawks’ top pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, had an impressive season in Europe before joining the NBA. Playing for JL Bourg in France, he averaged 10.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game over 32 games. His performance earned him the EuroCup Rising Star award, highlighting his potential to make an immediate impact in the NBA.
De’Andre Hunter had a solid 2023-24 season, averaging 15.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game over 57 games. He shot 45.9% from the field and 38.5% from three-point range. Hunter’s ability to contribute both offensively and defensively makes him a crucial part of Atlanta’s lineup, providing stability and experience.
Nikola Djurisic, who spent the 2023-24 season playing for Mega Basket in the Adriatic League, showed his versatility and scoring ability. He averaged 14.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game, along with 1.2 steals. Djurisic’s development in Europe demonstrates his potential to be a valuable asset for the Hawks, whether he joins the team immediately or continues to hone his skills overseas for another season.
Power Forwards
Jalen Johnson, Larry Nance Jr., Mouhamed Gueye
Jalen Johnson had a breakout 2023-24 season, showing significant improvement and becoming a key player for the Hawks. He averaged 16.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game over 56 games. His versatility and athleticism have allowed him to contribute significantly on both ends of the floor, and he is expected to continue his upward trajectory in the upcoming season.
Larry Nance Jr., known for his defensive prowess and versatility, joined the Hawks in a trade. He averaged 7.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game last season. Nance’s ability to play multiple positions in the frontcourt and his experience will be valuable assets for the Hawks as they look to solidify their rotation.
Mouhamed Gueye, a promising young player selected in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft, brings potential and athleticism to the Hawks’ frontcourt. Gueye’s development will be crucial as he transitions to the NBA, and he is expected to provide depth and energy off the bench.
Centers
Clint Capela, Onyeka Okongwu, Bruno Fernando
Clint Capela had a productive 2023-24 season, playing in 73 games and averaging 11.5 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. He shot 57.1% from the field and continued to be a dominant presence in the paint, providing the Hawks with reliable defense and rebounding.
Onyeka Okongwu stepped up as a valuable rotation player, offering versatility and energy off the bench. He averaged 9.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game. Okongwu’s defensive capabilities and ability to play both center and power forward positions make him a crucial part of the Hawks’ frontcourt rotation.
Bruno Fernando provided additional depth at the center position. While his playing time was limited, he contributed effectively when called upon, averaging 4.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. Fernando’s size and physicality offer valuable backup minutes, ensuring the Hawks maintain a strong presence in the paint throughout the game.
Can The Hawks Make The Playoffs?
The Atlanta Hawks have made several strategic moves this offseason, but their path to the playoffs remains uncertain. While they have a core of talented players like Trae Young, De’Andre Hunter, and Clint Capela, and have added promising rookies and role players, there are still significant challenges to overcome.
One of the primary concerns is the integration of new players such as Zaccharie Risacher and Nikola Djurisic, who need to adapt quickly to the NBA game. Additionally, the Hawks will need consistent contributions from young players like Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu, whose development will be crucial for the team’s success.
Another key factor is the team’s defense, which has been an area of weakness in recent seasons. While the addition of defensive-minded players like Dyson Daniels and Larry Nance Jr. could help, it remains to be seen whether these changes will be enough to significantly improve the Hawks’ defensive performance.
Moreover, the Eastern Conference is highly competitive, with many teams making significant improvements. The Hawks will need to perform consistently and avoid injuries to key players to stay in the playoff race. The health of Trae Young and Clint Capela, in particular, will be critical to their chances.
