NBA Offseason Grades: Hawks One of Only Teams In NBA That Earns An 'A' For Their Summer

The Atlanta Hawks have received widespread praise for their offseason moves, starting with a three-team trade that acquired Kristaps Porzingis. In free agency, they signed guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker to a four-year, $62 million contract and sharpshooter Luke Kennard to a one-year, $11 million deal.

On draft night, Atlanta traded down from the 13th to 23rd pick with the New Orleans Pelicans, acquiring an unprotected 2026 first-round pick (the more favorable selection between New Orleans and Milwaukee), which could potentially become a top-five draft choice.

Additional under-the-radar moves included signing 2023 second-round pick Nikola Durisic to a standard contract and former Orlando Magic forward Caleb Houstan to a one-year deal. With one roster spot remaining, the Hawks are considered among the Eastern Conference's strongest teams on paper.

Bleacher Report analyst Grant Hughes awarded the Hawks an "A" grade, highlighting Alexander-Walker and Kennard as transformative additions to the backcourt rotation alongside Trae Young. Porzingis was deemed worth the trade cost despite health concerns, providing unique rim-protection and floor-spacing abilities. Hughes emphasized that the draft-night trade was exceptionally favorable and noted the team's depth now rivals their 2021 Eastern Conference Finals roster.

The analysis concludes that if health permits, the Hawks should contend for a top-four playoff seed in the East.