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Hawks Front Office Addressed 3 Key Issues From Last Season

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The Atlanta Hawks are having one of their best offseasons in quite some time. Led by new general manager Onsi Saleh, the front office promptly addressed liabilities that the team experienced throughout the 2024-25 campaign. After Jalen Johnson went down, the frontcourt depth and size appeared questionable at best, with Mouhamed Gueye and Georges Niang taking over Johnson’s minutes. The lack of efficient three-point shooters and ball-handlers surrounding Trae Young allowed opposing defenses to shrink the floor. After a flurry of moves this summer, Atlanta is well-equipped to remedy these issues for the 2025-26 season.

Apr 18, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) tries to dribble past Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during the first half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Hawks Front Office Addressed 3 Key Issues From Last Season

Every Trade or Free Agent Signing Improved their Perimeter Shooting

Three-point volume and efficiency have always been staples in Quin Snyder-led offenses, dating back to his Utah Jazz days. In the 2020-21 season, he led Utah to the best record in the NBA at 52-20. The Jazz finished first in threes made and attempted, as well as fourth in percentage that season. In contrast, Snyder has not experienced similar numbers in Atlanta.

The Hawks ranked 14th, 15th, and 18th in those respective categories across the 2024-25 campaign. However, expect these numbers to jump after adding Kristaps Porziņģis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Luke Kennard, and Caleb Houstan. All four carry a three-point efficiency of at least 36% for their careers. That number could go even higher, but Alexander-Walker did not become a great shooter on volume until his fourth season in the league. He and Kennard take care of the backcourt, Houstan could play at either forward slot, and Porziņģis mans the middle. Suddenly, the Hawks have outside weaponry to be a strong shooting squad.

Atlanta generated a lot of quality looks from deep last season, but they struggled to knock them down. In fact, the Hawks ranked first in shot quality and second in open threes.

Next season, Atlanta has the pieces to punish defenses for leaving its shooters open.

Kennard and Alexander-Walker will also alleviate ball-handling pressure from Young. The four-time All-Star has played a career-high 36 minutes per contest over the past two seasons. This is likely due to the Hawks’ lack of depth behind him. Now, Kennard can back up Young, or both additions could play next to Atlanta’s star.

The Hawks Needed More Size and Length in the Frontcourt

It was clear Atlanta needed more help down low after struggling against the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat’s double-big lineups in the Play-In Tournament. Onyeka Okongwu adds more versatility on both ends, but at 6-foot-8, he is undersized against most centers. Porziņģis changes things instantly, whether he starts or comes off the bench to preserve his minutes.

Okongwu played the best basketball of his career after taking the starting position from Clint Capela in January. He averaged 15.0 points and 10.1 rebounds, shooting 36.2% from downtown in his 40 games after becoming a starter. Due to his improved perimeter shot, ability to move laterally, and ability to switch onto guards when needed, he can play next to Porziņģis. Atlanta now has its double-center combination to throw at opponents. At 7-foot-2, the star Latvian center can run with any one of the Hawks’ other frontcourt pieces. While he struggles to guard in space, Johnson, Asa Newell, Gueye, and Okongwu can all move well laterally and guard further from the basket.

Atlanta took Newell in the 2025 draft to add even more depth down low. In summer league, the rookie has flashed a high motor, versatility in transition, and a surprisingly solid three-point stroke. Newell’s willingness to get out on the break fits into the Hawks’ high-paced offense, which ranked third in pace last season.

Saleh is pushing all the right buttons ahead of an important season to lift the Hawks to championship contention in a wide-open Eastern Conference.

Photo credit: © Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

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