The preseason is officially over, and we’re only moments away from the start of the 2026–27 NBA season. With opening night fast approaching, here are some of the biggest questions and overreactions surrounding the Atlanta Hawks, following an exciting preseason.
Will Daniels and Dort be their downfall?
Despite already having one of the league’s premier perimeter defenders in Dyson Daniels, the Hawks doubled down on defense by acquiring NBA champion and All-NBA defender Lu Dort from the Oklahoma City Thunder. Together, the defensive duo should be capable of holding their own against any opposing team. But what good is a strong defense if you can’t put the ball in the basket?
On the defensive end, the two should complement each other perfectly. Daniels excels at playing the passing lanes, using his length and agility to guard quicker offensive players. Dort, meanwhile, specializes in defending bigger, more physical opponents, using his strength to his advantage. However, if the postseason has taught us anything, it’s that spacing is key to success in today’s NBA.
The two shared the court just once this preseason, combining for only 14 points while shooting 33% from the field and 25% from beyond the arc. With their two best offensive players, Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker relying heavily on their ability to collapse opposing defenses, playing two non-shooters alongside them may not be the best idea.
The backcourt is good, but can it be great?
Though Daniels and Dort have their limitations, they remain two key pieces of one of the NBA’s most well-rounded backcourt rotations. Led by veteran CJ McCollum and the reigning Most Improved Player, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta’s guard and wing rotation complements itself remarkably well.
The unit boasts elite shooting and shot creation, lockdown defenders at multiple positions, and the versatility to excel on both ends of the floor. Add in underrated playmaking and ball-handling, and the Hawks have a group capable of matching up with just about anyone. Their biggest holes were a lack of elite athleticism and youth, but they appear to have addressed both, selecting Kingston Fleming with the eighth overall pick.
Right now, their backcourt rotation is great, but they have the upside to be so much greater.
Can Asa Newell provide solid backup minutes at the 5?
There aren’t many holes in the Hawks’ roster, but there is an obvious need for big man depth off The Hawks have finally committed to Onyeka Okongwu as their full-time starting center, parting ways with fan favorite Clint Capela in 2025. However, with Okongwu stepping into a full-time starting role, the team now faces an obvious need for additional frontcourt depth off the bench.
Atlanta acquired Jock Landale from the Memphis Grizzlies last season, and he could serve as a solid short-term solution. However, if the Hawks are serious about contending, they’ll need a serious upgrade at the position moving forward.
Fortunately enough for them, they may have found an answer in Asa Newell. While his mobility and skills on the perimeter offer an obvious intrigue, his long-term value will depend on his ability to adapt, and so far this preseason, it seems like he’s taking a step in the right direction.
As presently constructed, the Hawks might be close to winning it all.
The NBA has crowned eight different champions over the last eight seasons, and one common thread has connected them all: depth. Of all the teams in the Eastern Conference, only a few can match the Hawks in that arena.
However, depth alone may not be enough to push Atlanta over the top. To finish the season as champions, they’ll need some serious superstar talent to compete with the other beasts of the East, not to mention the two juggernauts out West.
The Hawks have the assets to make a move for another star, but if all else fails, Jalen Johnson may be primed for a superstar leap of his own. The question is whether he can take that next step and compete with the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama, Jalen Brunson and Jayson Tatum as the best player on a championship team in June.
