After a middling 40-42 finish last season and an early exit in the Play-In Tournament, the Atlanta Hawks have made a bold, potentially franchise-altering move: acquiring Kristaps Porzingis.
For a team that’s struggled to build a consistent identity since the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals run, the addition of Porzingis injects not only talent but also legitimacy. And when you take a closer look at their revamped starting lineup, the pieces are starting to fit in a surprisingly compelling way.
PG – Trae Young
SG – Dyson Daniels
SF – Zaccharie Risacher
PF – Jalen Johnson
C- Kristaps Porzingis
Let’s start with the head of the snake.
Trae Young, for all the trade rumors and noise surrounding his future, continues to produce elite-level numbers. Last season, he averaged 24.2 points and 11.6 assists per game, all while dealing with shifting rotations and a lack of defensive support.
His shooting splits, 41.1% from the field and 34.0% from deep, may not wow on paper, but the pressure he puts on defenses is undeniable. And for the first time in years, he has a legitimate pick-and-pop threat in Porzingis, who can stretch the floor to the logo.
Speaking of backcourt support, enter Dyson Daniels, one of the NBA’s most annoying pests and now, its premier defensive guard. Daniels broke out last season with averages of 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and an absurd 3.0 steals per game.
That effort earned him Most Improved Player, the NBA Steals Leader title, and a spot on the All-Defensive First Team. His pairing with Trae is perfect on paper. Daniels can guard the tougher perimeter assignments and run secondary offense when needed.
Then there’s the highly anticipated rise of Zaccharie Risacher, the No. 1 pick of the 2024 NBA Draft. While his rookie year wasn’t mind-blowing, it was encouraging: 12.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 45.8% shooting, and a solid 35.5% from three.
As he gains confidence and his role expands, he could become the ultimate swing piece in this rebuild-on-the-fly approach.
Jalen Johnson took a massive leap last year, evolving into a legitimate two-way forward. He averaged 18.9 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists while shooting 50.0% from the field.
That earned him a well-deserved 5-year, $150 million extension and cemented his place as one of the Hawks’ cornerstones. His versatility complements the other four starters beautifully.
Now to Kristaps Porzingis, the ultimate wildcard. Last year with Boston, he put up 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and shot a blistering 41.2% from deep. At 7-foot-3, he remains a unicorn when healthy, offering floor spacing, rim protection, and a reliable post presence.
But health is the keyword here, he appeared in just 42 games last season and hasn’t played 70 or more games since 2017. Still, if Atlanta can manage his minutes and workload, he could be the missing piece Trae Young’s been waiting for.
Depth-wise, this team isn’t bare either. Onyeka Okongwu provides strong backup center minutes and can close games with defense. Caris LeVert brings veteran scoring off the bench. Kobe Bufkin, Vít Krejci, and Mouhamed Gueye are developing nicely and could add energy and athleticism in spurts.
But perhaps what makes the Hawks truly dangerous isn’t just their lineup, it’s the landscape of the Eastern Conference.
Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles injury has left the Pacers vulnerable despite a Finals run. The Celtics are retooling after losing Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, and with Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury, they’re no lock. The Knicks are mired in coaching instability.
The Bucks are missing Damian Lillard for potentially the entire season. The Cavaliers might be the most stable of the group, but their roster is handcuffed by second-apron rules and positional overlap.
That leaves the door wide open, and the Hawks know it.
Head coach Quin Snyder will be pumped to mold this squad. They’ve got a superstar playmaker, an elite defender, a No. 1 overall pick with upside, a breakout forward, and a floor-stretching 7-footer who can be a game-changer if healthy.
They aren’t flashy, but they’re deep, versatile, and balanced. And after flying under the radar for the last few years, the 2025–26 Atlanta Hawks just might be the sneaky-good team the East didn’t see coming.
