Hawks 2026-27 Season Preview

[Jamaaliver]

Atlanta Hawks offseason recap, early 2026-27 season preview

The big question: Can Johnson take the next step and win a playoff series?

Watch on YouTube

Johnson averaged 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists last season when Atlanta pivoted from Young and handed over the keys to the franchise to the versatile 6-8 forward. Johnson made the All-Star team and helped Atlanta become the only team to take two games off the eventual champion Knicks. But they also blew a 2-1 lead by losing three straight, including suffering an embarrassing 140-89 loss in Game 6 to New York. That should have left a lasting bitter taste for the Hawks all offseason and motivate Johnson to show he can take another step forward and lead the Hawks to a playoff series victory as their main star.

ESPN

[Jamaaliver]

Watch on YouTube

;t=426s

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

Hawks Biggest X factor -- C Onyeka Okongwu



The Hawks are bursting with perimeter depth after trading for Dort and Wiggins, drafting Flemings and re-signing McCollum to a one-year deal. But Jock Landale -- a fine backup but not remotely a quality NBA starter -- provides the only depth at center, which means the starter, Okongwu, has a great deal of responsibility resting on his shoulders.

Okongwu developed into a capable stretch big last season, making 38% of his 5.2 3-point attempts per game. But he still needs to gain more scoring efficiency overall, as well as serve as a strong backline defender behind Dort, Dyson Daniels and the rest of Atlanta's perimeter stoppers.

[Jamaaliver]

5 NBA teams that got better this offseason

Better: Atlanta Hawks

2025-26 Record: 46-36

Notable Additions: F Lu Dort, G Aaron Wiggins, PG Ryan Nembhard, G Devin Carter, G Kingston Flemings, C Zuby Ejiofor

Notable Subtractions: G/F Zaccharie Risacher

The Atlanta Hawks may have the NBA's best defense this season.

A 108.6 rating after the All-Star break following the trade of Trae Young was second only to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the team Atlanta has now plucked both Dort and Wiggins away from. Dort finished fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2024-25 and is still only 27 years old. He's a tough, physical defender who can guard multiple positions that the Hawks can plug into a lineup alongside guys like Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Onyeka Okongwu.

The guard position has been revamped post-Young, as Flemings, the No. 8 overall pick this summer, gets to learn behind CJ McCollum for at least a year. Carter and Nembhard bring some added defense and playmaking to the backcourt as well.

This Hawks team is deep, has a bonafide All-Star in Jalen Johnson and blends some veteran talent with enough young talent to inspire a bright future.

This is a dark horse to come away with the No. 1 seed in the East, as the team's defense will now be elite all season long.

Bleacher Report

[HMFFL]

Read on Twitter

Hawks Biggest X factor -- C Onyeka Okongwu



The Hawks are bursting with perimeter depth after trading for Dort and Wiggins, drafting Flemings and re-signing McCollum to a one-year deal. But Jock Landale -- a fine backup but not remotely a quality NBA starter -- provides the only depth at center, which means the starter, Okongwu, has a great deal of responsibility resting on his shoulders.

Okongwu developed into a capable stretch big last season, making 38% of his 5.2 3-point attempts per game. But he still needs to gain more scoring efficiency overall, as well as serve as a strong backline defender behind Dort, Dyson Daniels and the rest of Atlanta's perimeter stoppers.

Onyeka is one of the better shooters on the team.
Coach Quin needs to let him be more of a factor on offense. Quin let him have meaningless shot attempts in the postseason against the Knicks when the game was already out of reach.

Sent from my SM-S928U1 using RealGM mobile app