Atlanta Hawks Season Preview
Re-signed: Vit Krejci
Additions: Dominick Barlow (free agent), Dyson Daniels (via trade), Larry Nance Jr. (via trade), David Roddy (via trade), Cody Zeller (via trade)
Draft Picks: Zaccharie Risacher (No. 1 overall), Nikola Djurisic (No. 43 overall)
Departures: Saddiq Bey (Wizards), Bruno Fernando (waived), AJ Griffin (Rockets), EJ Liddell (Suns), Dejounte Murray (Pelicans)
Unsigned Free Agents: Trent Forrest, Seth Lundy, Wesley Matthews, Dylan Windler
Last Season Recap
The Hawks had a disappointing 2023-2024 season, finishing 36-46. With Trae Young missing 28 games, Atlanta lacked a consistent offensive leader, and Dejounte Murray’s performances, while solid, did not fully compensate for Young’s absence. Despite Jalen Johnson showing significant growth and establishing himself as a future key piece, the team fell short of the playoffs, leading to major offseason changes.
Summer Recap
The Hawks struck lottery luck by securing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, selecting French forward Zaccharie Risacher, a skilled young prospect known for his shooting and defensive acumen. While missing out on a generational talent like Victor Wembanyama (2023’s top pick) was a disappointment, Risacher brings plenty of promise to the table.
In addition to drafting Risacher, Atlanta traded away Dejounte Murray, opting to break up a backcourt duo that had potential but failed to fully deliver. The decision to move on from Murray signals a new direction for the team, centered around player development and retooling their roster.
Player Spotlight: De’Andre Hunter
De’Andre Hunter remains a perplexing figure for the Hawks. Despite his physical attributes, he has struggled with consistency and injuries, playing more than 60 games in only two of his five seasons. Although the team extended him in 2022, he has yet to emerge as a standout player. Hunter’s future may hinge on whether he can elevate his game, or he could become trade bait for the Hawks.
Season Outlook
The Hawks are somewhat constrained by their future obligations, having traded away first-round picks for Murray in previous seasons. This limits their ability to hit a full reset, keeping Trae Young as the franchise’s centerpiece. However, Young’s inefficiency remains a concern, and the lack of a true co-star limits Atlanta’s ceiling. While Jalen Johnson could potentially flirt with All-Star status, it’s likely that Atlanta will only be a contender for a Play-In Tournament spot unless Risacher quickly emerges as a major contributor. Without significant improvement, the Spurs, who hold future Hawks picks, may benefit more than Atlanta from the team’s current trajectory
