After a dramatic roster shake-up and a late-season surge that secured the No. 6 seed, the Atlanta Hawks head into the 2026 NBA offseason holding the Nos. 8 and 23 selections in next week’s draft and several major contract decisions.
Season Recap
Atlanta finished 27-31 on Feb. 20 following a lopsided loss in Miami, then closed the regular season 19-5 to clinch a guaranteed playoff berth. The club rested its regulars in the finale, sliding from the No. 5 to the No. 6 seed, and fell to New York in six games after leading the first-round series 2-1. The Knicks went on to win their first championship since 1973.
Key Trades Under New Management
New general manager Onsi Saleh began remodeling the roster last offseason:
- Sent 2025’s No. 13 pick Derik Queen to New Orleans for No. 23 pick Asa Newell and the more favorable of the Pelicans’ or Bucks’ 2026 first-rounders.
- Acquired Kristaps Porziņģis from Boston in a three-team deal that moved out Terance Mann, Georges Niang and the No. 22 pick Drake Powell.
- Sent Clint Capela to Houston in a sign-and-trade, generating a traded-player exception and a future second-round pick.
- Brought in Nickeil Alexander-Walker from Minnesota via sign-and-trade for a second-rounder.
- Signed Luke Kennard to a one-year, $11 million contract.
In-season moves followed:
- Trae Young, limited to 10 games by a knee sprain, was dealt to Washington in January for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert.
- Porziņģis was shipped to Golden State for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield.
- Kennard went to the Lakers for Gabe Vincent and a second-round pick.
- Vit Krejčí moved to Portland for two second-rounders.
- Jock Landale arrived from Utah for cash considerations.
Draft Position
The Pelicans and Bucks both missed the 2025-26 playoffs, giving Atlanta a 40.2 percent chance to land a top-four pick. The lottery dropped the Hawks from No. 7 to No. 8, but the team still owns that pick along with Cleveland’s No. 23 selection. League sources have speculated Atlanta could explore trading No. 23.
Contract Outlook
McCollum is extension-eligible until June 30 and would become an unrestricted free agent without a new deal. Kispert has three years and $40 million remaining, with a team option on the final season. Young holds a $49 million player option for 2026-27 with Washington.
The Hawks did not extend Young or Porziņģis last summer and postponed talks with Porziņģis before his February trade. The front office also bypassed in-season extensions for other veterans, preserving cap flexibility as it evaluates the retooled roster.
With two first-round picks and several rotation players on expiring or team-controlled contracts, Atlanta enters the 2026 offseason positioned to continue reshaping its roster.
Source: Hoops Rumors
