The Hawks May Have Already Fallen Behind in the East
The Atlanta Hawks are already being left out of some early Eastern Conference playoff predictions—and it raises a big question: are the Hawks actually taking a step back, or has the rest of the East simply gotten that much better?
In this discussion, we break down why teams like the Knicks, Pacers, 76ers, Heat, Cavaliers, Celtics, Raptors, and Pistons are being projected ahead of Atlanta, despite the Hawks’ exciting finish last season. We also debate the Hawks’ offseason moves, the “don’t skip steps” philosophy, whether Aaron Wiggins, Devin Carter, and the rookie class can make an impact, and if Atlanta is destined for another Play-In Tournament appearance.
The conversation also dives into the Hawks’ financial approach, whether ownership is willing to pay the luxury tax for a true superstar, and if passing on a player like Jaylen Brown was more about money than basketball. Plus, we discuss the long-term development of Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, and what the franchise’s future could look like.
Do you think the Hawks are being underrated, or is the Eastern Conference simply too loaded for Atlanta to keep pace this season?
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It's going to be another competitive year for the East. We are hopeful you're wrong about the Hawks. I would disagree about the Heat. I don't think that team got better
Forgetting one team that’s actually gonna be a top six seat in the eastern conference and that’s Washington. The league is about to see a giant this season. I can guarantee you right now if anything Davis is healthy and they’re able to stay healthy. The wizards will be a top succeed in the eastern conference next year. It’s gonna be a total turnaround in Washington. You’re all gonna be shot about what’s about to happen to the eastern conference in the NBA
The east is the new west
Don’t see the Pacers passing the Hawks. They’ve moved key guys from that finals team and Hali will need time to recondition himself
So, the Atlanta Hawks, essentially will run it back with replacing departing free agents Gabe Vincent, Keaton Wallace, and at this point a waived Jonathan Kuminga, for Aaron Wiggins (from the Oklahoma City Thunder), Devin Carter (from the Sacramento Kings), along with the Hawks 2026 Draft Picks:
[1] #8 1st-Round-Draft-Pick Point Guard Kingston Flemings,
[2] #52 2nd-Round-Draft-Pick Center 6'11-7'0 Henri Veesaar;
[3] #23 1st-Round-Draft-Pick Forward/Center 6'7-6'8 Zuby Ejiofor.
The Atlanta Hawks, currently, have a 16-man roster, and needs that roster reduced to a 15-man roster at the start of the NBA regular season.
The current Atlanta Hawks Roster as the July 2026
Hawks Centers ( C ):
*Onyeka Okongwu,
(who should be at the 4/PF),
Jock Landale
& Henri Veesaar;
___________________________
Hawks Power Forwards (PF):
*Jalen Johnson
(who should be at the 3/SF),
Mouhamed Gueye,
Asa Newell
& Zuby Ejiofor;
__________________________
Hawks Small Forwards (SF):
*Dyson Daniels,
Zaccharie Risacher,
& Coery Kispert;
___________________________
Hawks Shooting Guards (SG):
*Nickeli Alexander-Walker,
Aaron Wiggins
& Buddy Heild;
___________________________
Hawks Point Guards (PG):
*CJ McCollum
Kingston Flemings
& Devin Carter….
There is literally no room, for any other player, unless the Atlanta Hawks management decides to do a trade (involving Corey Kispert, Buddy Heild and probably either Zaccharie Risacher or Asa Newell).
Hell, there really isn't any room the Hawks 2026 #23 1st Round Draft Pick, PF Zuby Ejiofor, with Jalen Johnson, Mouhamed Gueye and Asa Newell at the 4 (PF).
Other than that, move Onyeka Okongwu at his natural position at the 4(PF) and Jalen Johnson to the 3(SF).
One more thing, the Atlanta Hawks shouldn't be declining their Team Option and doing a sign & trade involving Jonathan Kuminga, anything. Jonathan Kuminga earned his spot in the Atlanta Hawks, but Atlanta Hawks management and ownership there heads so far stuck up Hawks Head Coach Quinn Snyder's mediocre a** it's ridiculous, knowing the Atlanta Hawks will be once again an NBA 1st Round Playoff knockout casualty, at best.
Hawks finally got the final piece to the core. Now let's give it a couple years and see how it looks. We're one of the youngest teams in the league. Don't rush it.
Yalls agendas are so obvious. The Braves, whose games you air live, are mediocre at best, yet you keep touting them as bonafide contenders. The Hawks, whose games air on a rival station, have a high ceiling and were the only team to force the Knicks into a sixth game, yet youre already quick to dismiss them. I would say make it make sense, but it already does.
So quick to skip over “the Hawks are a young team” without acknowledging we still have not seen the best version of Jalen.
Let it breathe
Every year 3-5 star players get hurt and miss major time. I don't know which team gets hit by the injury bug. But I know that the rosters of a few of these teams will suffer loss and will not be better than the Hawks.
The Hawks went 25-13 (65.8%) last season whenever they had 2 actual NBA centers playing in the rotation (OO/KP or OO/JL). That percentage would have been good for 3rd in the east last season.
They did not have that in the playoffs and still beat the champs twice.
Listening to your observation means nothing because no one predicted the Knicks.
HAYYYY from The Bay! THANK YOU ATLANTA!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!
The Hawks aren't much better in the east but I don't think they will take much of a step back either. Plus they were insane after the CJ trade last year and now they will have that lineup for the whole season. Barring injury I feel like we are comfortably in the 5th/6th seed at end of season. Also I think one thing that is being totally not talked about is Landale missing the entire playoffs last season. Sure, Jock isn't an elite player but he was the only other true center on the team and not having him against Kat and Mitchell Robinson was a major problem. If we go into the playoffs with year with a healthy Okongwu, Landale and maybe even Veesar then we will be alot better in the post season. Plus they on paper are both great shooters and if they are in the rotation that can stretch the floor much better than Mo or Kuminga could leaving much more space in the paint. Biggest issue imo is how good is Kingston going to be. That's an obvious question seeing that he was the 8th overall pick but we needed another guard to handle the ball at a high level when CJ was getting trapped later in the NY series. If Flemmings can be the sure handed, ball protector we need him to be and the bigs stay healthy we will be alright. But don't expect to be contenders this year unless Flemmings ends up becoming a superstar rookie and Veesar and Landale are out there battling for boards in the playoffs with Okongwu.