The Excitement for the 2025-26 NBA Season
The excitement for the 2025-26 NBA season is building, and with it comes a detailed exploration of each team’s prospects, including the intriguing Atlanta Hawks. Coming off a challenging previous season where they concluded with a 40-42 record and were ousted in the play-in tournament, the Hawks are keen to improve. To that end, they will be analyzing significant questions regarding their roster, alongside both optimistic and pessimistic forecasts for the year ahead.
Offseason Developments
Atlanta has made some notable moves in the offseason. The team welcomed former All-Star Kristaps Porziņģis, promising guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker, sharpshooter Luke Kennard, and rookie Asa Newell. Departures included Clint Capela, Larry Nance Jr., Georges Niang, and Terance Mann, altering the makeup of the team as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Key Focus: Trae Young’s Evolution
At the heart of this season’s narrative will undoubtedly be Trae Young. The young star, a four-time All-Star known for his impressive scoring and playmaking ability—averaging as high as 29.6 points and 11.6 assists per game—stands at a pivotal moment in his career at age 27, the prime of his athletic life. There are lingering doubts about his ability to spearhead a championship-caliber team, particularly when it comes to performing on the defensive end.
The Hawks believe that the new roster configuration will empower Young to maximize his strengths while compensating for his weaknesses. Porziņģis adds versatility to the offensive game, particularly with his capability to shoot from the perimeter and as a pick-and-pop option, something Young has lacked in the past. Alongside Porziņģis, the Hawks boast other solid two-way players, including rising figures like Jalen Johnson, Most Improved Player candidate Dyson Daniels, and this year’s number one draft pick Zaccharie Risacher. With these additions, the Hawks aim to build a foundation that supports and enhances Young’s game, setting the stage for greater team success.
Challenges and Speculations About Young’s Future
With Young’s current contract status adding further intrigue, he has a player option worth $49 million for the 2026-27 season and is eligible for a lucrative four-year extension, although this offer has yet to be made. The decision on whether to extend him or his future with the franchise could greatly impact the team’s trajectory. Notably, criticisms from former NBA player Patrick Beverley this offseason have raised questions about Young’s role as a teammate, implying that he sometimes prioritizes his own game over team success.
The Hawks must determine whether they can rely on Young as a driving force for winning. Teams across the league might be monitoring whether the Hawks truly believe in his potential to lead this team into contention. Should his performance falter, Atlanta faces difficult choices—whether to trade him, let him depart as a free agent, or secure a significant extension that might limit their championship window.
Potential Outcomes for the Season
Should Young thrive this season, embracing a more selfless style of play alongside defensive contributions, Atlanta could emerge as a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference. If all the pieces fall into place—Young finding his groove, Porziņģis remaining healthy, and the younger talents stepping into their roles—the Hawks could potentially make a deep playoff run, something the franchise has yet to achieve.
Conversely, if Young’s individualistic play returns and the team chemistry deteriorates, Atlanta may need to consider a rebuilding phase, which could be complicated by Young’s contract status and the need for a reliable point guard. They face a conundrum; the outcome of this season could redefine the direction of the franchise for years to come.
The season kicks off on October 22 against the Toronto Raptors, with the Hawks’ win total projected at 46.5. Fans are left hopeful that with significant adjustments and a solid supporting cast, Trae Young can lead this potentially dynamic team to greater heights this season.
