Hawks 2025 Offseason Thread

[Jamaaliver]

A solid, if underwhelming, regular season -- followed by a complete disappointment in the play-in tourney.

Where does Atlanta go from here?

State of the roster

Spoiler:

The future in Atlanta is a matter of what lens you are looking through. One shows a team that once again lost in the play-in, failing to reach the playoffs a second consecutive season and fifth time in eight years. Then there's the lens that shows a clearer picture. Instead of being one dimensional with Trae Young solely as the face of the franchise, Atlanta has shifted to building a sustainable roster. "Ultimately, it's not about just one season," GM Hawks Landry Fields said in February. "We're here to build a championship-caliber roster, not just for a single year, but for years to come."

The long-term vision has shifted toward young players, the draft and financial flexibility to make trades. Four of their five starters, Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, Zaccharie Risacher and Onyeka Okongwu, are 24 or younger and are either on team-controlled contracts or signed long term. Atlanta will add two first-round picks, one possibly in the top-15 from Sacramento and a second from the Lakers.

Daniels is extension-eligible this offseason and is considered one of the best wing defenders in the NBA; he became the first player since Alvin Robertson in 1990-91 to average at least three steals per game. Daniels' impact on the defensive end resulted in Atlanta ranking 18th in efficiency, their highest since 2020-21.

Risacher ranked second in total points among rookies and averaged 14.7 points, 51% from the field and 41% on 3-pointers since Jan. 30. Before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery in late January, Johnson was averaging career highs in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. He became the first player in franchise history to average 20 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists through the first 30 games of a season.

The positives however could be overshadowed by the one big question that will linger over the franchise this offseason. Is Trae Young part of the long-term future? He is eligible to sign a four-year extension and could be a free agent in summer 2026.

Offseason finances

The Dejounte Murray and De'Andre Hunter trades have taken Atlanta out of financial purgatory. Instead of straddling the luxury tax line like in years past, Atlanta enters the offseason right at the salary cap. Besides the possibility of two first-round picks, the Hawks have the flexibility to use their $14.1 million non-tax mid-level exception and still be active in the trade market. Atlanta also has the $5.1 million biannual, veteran minimum and four trade exceptions ($25.3 million, $13.1 million, $3.7 million and $3.5 million).

Top front office priority

Pick a direction with Young's future. The four-time All-Star has been the face of the organization since he was drafted in 2018. But Atlanta is facing a decision on whether to commit to the guard. He is eligible to sign a four-year, $229 million extension up until next June 30 or a five-year, $345 million super max extension if he is named All-NBA this season. If an extension is not reached, Young could become a free agent next summer but only if he declines the $49 million player option in 2026-27.

Young averaged a league-high 11.6 assists this season, the most since Russell Westbrook in 2020-21. And Young's 200 assists in the fourth quarter are the most since John Stockton in 1996-97. The positives of Young sharing the basketball were met with a less-than-efficient shooting season. He shot a career low 53% on shots at the rim and the second-worst effective field goal percentage of his career. His 355 turnovers this season led all players.

Extension candidate to watch

Spoiler:

It is unlikely that Daniels will see the same five-year, $245 million max extensions that Paolo Banchero and Jalen Williams will most likely sign in the first week of free agency. But Daniels is still worthy of a lucrative new contract. Acquired from New Orleans as part of the Murray trade (the Hawks also picked up two first-round picks), Daniels is in contention for Most Improved Player, All-Defensive and Defensive Player of the Year.

Daniels increased his scoring average by 8.4 points from last season, the largest among all qualified players, and joined Michael Jordan as the only player since 1987-88 to lead the NBA in combined steals and blocks. A contract for Daniels should be in the five-year, $170 million range. The $34 million per year average is comparable to the same salary cap percentage that Jalen Suggs signed with the Magic last October.

Other extension candidates: Georges Niang, Young, Mouhamed Gueye, Clint Capela (through June 30), Garrison Mathews (through June 30) and Larry Nance Jr. (through June 30)

Team needs

The Hawks improved defensively but there is still work to do. Atlanta ranked 28th in points per direct pick and last in defending on-ball screens this season, according to GeniusIQ tracking.

Draft assets

Spoiler:

The Hawks have no control over their first-round pick until 2028, but they still possess draft equity in future seasons. Including the two first-rounders in June, Atlanta has nine through 2032. The Hawks have the least favorable 2026 first between Milwaukee and New Orleans. (The pick does not get conveyed if it falls in the top-five.)

From the Hunter trade, Atlanta has swap rights with Cleveland, San Antonio or Utah (if 1-8) in 2026, and Cleveland or Utah in 2028. Besides the ability to swap with Atlanta in 2026, San Antonio also has the Hawks unprotected first in 2027. Atlanta has six second-rounders.

ESPN Insider

[Jamaaliver]

Watch on YouTube

[jayu70]

Watch on YouTube

[jayu70]

Atlanta is in a precarious but promising position. It set out to establish a new identity of versatile defenders and slashers who could do a little bit of everything. The main thing missing was shooting, then eventually Jalen Johnson, who suffered a season-ending shoulder injury late January.

Throughout the season, Hawks coach Quin Snyder honed his young team to fit an offensive cutting and defensive pressure approach. The team overperformed preseason expectations, even after losing Johnson and trading away De’Andre Hunter, giving the franchise confidence in the path it charted last offseason. Key players such as Daniels and Zaccharie Risacher struggled against Miami, a crucial moment to learn and grow.

“We’ve got a lot of young guys, so this is a perfect opportunity for guys that. I mean, if this is their first experience of an elimination game, they know now what to expect and what to go into the summertime to work on,” Young said.

This season, the Hawks were in a unique stage of their rebuild: relying upon players early in their careers who might not be ready to win at a high level, but not having control of their draft pick. There was no tanking incentive, so they had to win while developing.

Now both sides have to figure out what makes sense. Do the Hawks want to give Young a supermax deal after a down shooting season, even if he is vital to orchestrating their offense? Does Young, who turns 27 in September, want to remain part of an upstart project when he has been carrying the franchise for years?

“The goal is to always win, of course. But when you have the type of team that we’ve had, I mean, it’s going to be bumps and bruises throughout the season,” Young said. “Hopefully next year I can focus more on the wins and losses.”

Neither team had the luxury of measuring growth with wins and losses. They measured it through their responses to adversity

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6291502/2025/04/19/hawks-fourth-quarter-comeback-falls-short-heat-advance-to-playoffs/

[jayu70]

Read on Twitter

[CP War Hawks]

HMM

Hire Mike Malone

[Jamaaliver]

HMM

Hire Mike Malone

You may not want to look at Malone's first few years in Sacramento and then Denver.

It took him years to right the ship.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Malone

[CP War Hawks]

HMM

Hire Mike Malone

You may not want to look at Malone's first few years in Sacramento and then Denver.

It took him years to right the ship.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Malone

You live, learn, and then execute. Did not Malone do that or what... Malone is younger than Snyder and there can't be an argument between the two, right?

[tbhawksfan1]

The first and most important decision is Trae. Extend at what price or trade. Either way I think that they will remain on the development path with this young team.
Snyder isn't going anywhere. Owner, FO and coaching are all in on the plan to develop a young team with potential
Got to replace CC / LNJr and revamp the front court

[Jamaaliver]

HMM

Hire Mike Malone

You may not want to look at Malone's first few years in Sacramento and then Denver.

It took him years to right the ship.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Malone

You live, learn, and then execute. Did not Malone do that or what... Malone is younger than Snyder and there can't be an argument between the two, right?

Nuggets fans have been pushing to replace Malone for years.

Unless he's bringing Jokic with him, I don't believe he alone changes this franchise.

And for the record...I do believe Quin Snyder is a better coach.

[Jamaaliver]

My #1 trade target.

But will he accept a bench role?

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

[jayu70]

The first and most important decision is Trae. Extend at what price or trade. Either way I think that they will remain on the development path with this young team.
Snyder isn't going anywhere. Owner, FO and coaching are all in on the plan to develop a young team with potential
Got to replace CC / LNJr and revamp the front court

Trae has until the day before the regular season starts before he signs his extension, so the draft and offseason moves will/should occur before Trae has to sign. What the front office does will drive the Trae decsion.

[King Ken]

Trade Trae for Ja Morant
Sign Tyus Jones as a backup PG
Draft BPA

The end

[Jamaaliver]

Trae has until the day before the regular season starts before he signs his extension, so the draft and offseason moves will/should occur before Trae has to sign.

What the front office does will drive the Trae decsion.

Gotta be honest, if all we do is stand pat and draft more teenagers at #14 and #23...I can't imagine any reason Trae would want to sign an extension here.

It wouldn't be a wrong approach, but just one not in keeping with a multi time All Star entering his prime.

[jayu70]

Trae has until the day before the regular season starts before he signs his extension, so the draft and offseason moves will/should occur before Trae has to sign.

What the front office does will drive the Trae decsion.

Gotta be honest, if all we do is stand pat and draft more teenagers at #14 and #23...I can't imagine any reason Trae would want to sign an extension here.

It wouldn't be a wrong approach, but just one not in keeping with a multi time All Star entering his prime.

Trae bought in this season regarding the development approach to the young guys. It can't be this again for next season.

Read on Twitter

[Jamaaliver]

Trae bought in this season regarding the development approach to the young guys. It can't be this again for next season.

You ain't kidding. Running this out this starting five with the entire season on the line is undeniable sabotage...I'm ready to walk away from the franchise if we see this nonsense next season.

[Geaux_Hawks]

I really don't see a big move in the cards though. We will likely lean more on the internal growth of Dys and Zacch, mixed with JJ's return, and hopefully the addition of some real size at the 5(Shoot for Maluach??). I'd take a Goga Bitadze, but I doubt Magic play ball. Any way to snag Adem Bona from Philly?!

[CP War Hawks]

Might as well make a push for Zion. It's an easy sell to the fans. Human Highlight Factory 2.0 and he get eyes on the Hawks. If he stays healthy it forces the Hawks to make improvements ownership could perceptibly justify spending.

[Jamaaliver]

Might as well make a push for Zion. It's an easy sell to the fans. Human Highlight Factory 2.0 and he get eyes on the Hawks. If he stays healthy it forces the Hawks to make improvements ownership could perceptibly justify spending.

I know it's hard to fathom, but Zion and Jalen Johnson are essentially the same player.

Same position (Power Forward),
same strengths (transition scoring/at rim finishing)
with the same major flaw (frequent injury/poor shooting).

I do not believe they can play together...

[Jamaaliver]

Something to consider when making our offseason additions this summer:

Read on Twitter