Hawks executive: “We had one of the best offseasons in the entire league”

The Atlanta Hawks front office expressed strong confidence in their offseason moves, asserting they had one of the NBA's best summers to position the team for significant improvement in the 2025-26 season. Executives highlighted the acquisitions of Kristaps Porzingis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Luke Kennard as pivotal for enhancing roster depth and versatility.

Zaccharie Risacher's development during his rookie year played a crucial role in the team's strategy, with the forward averaging 13.9 points on 50/40/73 shooting splits over the final 45 games after Christmas. His performance reportedly gave the front office confidence to pursue additional roster upgrades.

Atlanta further bolstered its future through the draft, selecting Asa Newell and acquiring an additional 2026 first-round pick from the Pelicans in a draft-night trade. Team coaches lauded the moves as a "homerun," emphasizing Newell's unique frontcourt skills and expected defensive focus during his rookie campaign.

Contract extension discussions are underway with Dyson Daniels, viewed as a strong complement to star guard Trae Young, with both parties reportedly optimistic about finalizing a deal soon.

Not all developments were uniformly positive, as a team scout voiced concerns about Kobe Bufkin's shooting consistency and durability despite his Summer League athleticism.

Entering the season, the Hawks aim to compete in the Eastern Conference behind Young, Jalen Johnson, and Risacher. While executives stated they won't impose specific expectations, they emphasized refusing to place "artificial limits" on the team's potential.