Atlanta Hawks restructure roster around Jalen Johnson after Trae Young trade

The Atlanta Hawks entered a transitional era following a high-profile roster overhaul that ended seven years under Trae Young. Young, limited to just 10 appearances the previous season due to persistent injuries, was traded to the Washington Wizards in early 2026. In return, the Hawks acquired Corey Kispert and CJ McCollum. While the trade initially drew excitement from the fanbase in Georgia, McCollum quickly anchored the team’s backcourt during a productive second half of the campaign. With the veteran guard directing the offense, Atlanta posted a 27-14 record over that stretch, securing a direct playoff berth and bypassing the play-in tournament.

Despite forcing a competitive series against the eventual champion New York Knicks and taking a 2-1 lead, the Hawks faltered down the stretch. They dropped three consecutive games, culminating in a postseason exit on their home floor. Even with that playoff collapse, the organization enters the new campaign with a restructured roster tailored around emerging young talent and defensive versatility under head coach Quin Snyder.

Jalen Johnson Enters the All-Star Tier

The centerpiece of Atlanta’s new identity is power forward Jalen Johnson, who put together a breakout campaign in his fifth NBA season. Johnson tallied 13 triple-doubles and earned his first career selection to the NBA All-Star Game. Operating as a primary offensive and defensive catalyst, Johnson cemented himself as a cornerstone for the franchise alongside backcourt teammate Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Alexander-Walker embraced a heavier offensive workload, surpassing the 20-points-per-game mark for the first time in his career and capturing the NBA Most Improved Player award.

Conversely, guard Dyson Daniels—who won the Most Improved Player award in 2025—experienced a steep offensive regression, particularly from beyond the arc. Daniels shot just 18.8 percent from 3-point range last season, representing the worst mark in the league for his position. To offset these perimeter shooting deficiencies and maintain head coach Quin Snyder’s defensive system, the front office added seasoned wings Luguentz Dort, Aaron Wiggins, and Dorian Finney-Smith. First-round draft picks Kingston Flemings and Zuby Ejiofor join them, arriving with skill sets geared toward rugged, active defense.

Roster Turnover Reshapes the Atlanta Rotation

The offseason moves created a distinct shift in Atlanta’s depth chart, prompting the departure of several key names. Zaccharie Risacher was traded during the summer, while Jonathan Kuminga departed after the team opted not to extend his contract. Other exits included Buddy Hield, Christian Koloko, Keaton Wallace, Gabe Vincent, and Tony Bradley. In the frontcourt, centers Onyeka Okongwu and Jock Landale return to anchor the middle. Landale signed a contract extension alongside McCollum. The team also drafted rookie Henri Veesaar, though he will miss the entirety of the season due to a torn ACL.

Financially, the Hawks operate with a team payroll of $180.4 million, placing them 17th across the league with an average roster age of 26.1 years.

Dyson Daniels Works to Improve Perimeter Shooting

Dyson Daniels enters the upcoming season carrying immense scrutiny regarding his perimeter marksmanship. Although he remains an elite facilitator who averaged 5.9 assists per game and shot over 57 percent on 2-point attempts, his struggles from long distance severely capped the team’s floor spacing last season. Daniels halved his 3-point attempt volume compared to previous years as his confidence waned. Over the summer, the Australian guard worked extensively on his shooting mechanics and release arc, vowing to increase his volume from deep. A revival in his outside shooting would alleviate defensive pressure on Jalen Johnson and elevate Daniels into an elite two-way contributor.

Projected Scenarios for the Upcoming Campaign

In an optimistic projection, Jalen Johnson continues his ascent into the MVP conversation, supported by reliable perimeter shooting from Aaron Wiggins, Dorian Finney-Smith, Jock Landale, and Luguentz Dort. If Daniels elevates his 3-point accuracy to 35 percent, the Hawks secure a top-six seed in the Eastern Conference, avoiding the play-in tournament and returning to the postseason with valuable experience.

In a pessimistic scenario, opponents successfully scheme against Johnson as the element of surprise fades. If Daniels continues to shoot below 25 percent from deep, and newcomer Dort fails to find a rhythm, Atlanta’s floor spacing disintegrates. Coupled with the advancing age of CJ McCollum, the offense sputters into frequent droughts, forcing the franchise into a desperate late-season scramble for a play-in spot.