The Hawks rebounded from a 36-46 2023-24 record as Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels broke out and rookie Zaccharie Risacher improved late. Johnson underwent season-ending shoulder surgery after 36 games, contributing to a late collapse. Atlanta reached the play-in, then replaced general manager Landry Fields with Onsi Saleh. Saleh added size, athleticism, and shooting by signing Luke Kennard and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, trading for Kristaps Porzingis, and drafting Georgia big man Asa Newell at No. 23. Atlanta also acquired New Orleans' unprotected 2026 first-round pick. The roster upgrade creates urgency for Trae Young in 2025.
They rebounded after a down 2023-24 season, when they finished just 36-46. Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels broke out, and rookie Zaccharie Risacher flourished in the second-half of last season. But Johnson was limited to just 36 games after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery in January, and the bottom kind of fell out. Atlanta made the play-in game for the fourth-straight year and was eliminated, ultimately leading to them parting ways with general manager Landry Fields and hiring Onsi Saleh.
Saleh did an excellent job this offseason of surrounding Trae Young with size, athleticism and shooting - adding Luke Kennard and Nickeil Alexander-Walker for team-friendly contracts in free agency, acquiring Kristaps Porzingis at an inexpensive price via trade and drafting Georgia big man Asa Newell, who cracked the "my guys" list and was No. 13 on my big board. Oh, and they acquired the New Orleans' 2026 first-rounder unprotected on draft night!
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