Soaring Down South

The Atlanta Hawks made several moves this summer to improve their depth for the 2026-27 NBA campaign. Perhaps their most nationally covered transaction came when they traded Zaccharie Risacher in a three-team deal to bring in Luguentz Dort. However, Atlanta acquired another former Oklahoma City Thunder guard before this move: Aaron Wiggins. Wiggins has impressed through the Hawks' first three preseason contests. His offensive versatility allows him to play both on and off the ball.

The Atlanta Hawks are one of the more interesting teams heading into next season. They made the playoffs – and made a little bit of noise in the first round – but now they have to improve even more. CJ McCollum is back, and they also added guys like Lu Dort and rookie Kingston Flemings. But perhaps the most important addition the Hawks made this summer was Aaron Wiggins.

Lu Dort made his preseason debut for the Atlanta Hawks against the Indiana Pacers, and his defensive assignment immediately stood out. Rather than having Jalen Johnson defend Pascal Siakam, Atlanta turned to Dort to handle the matchup. That decision offered an early glimpse of how Dort's arrival could benefit Atlanta's franchise centerpiece. His defensive versatility isn't just about making the Hawks tougher; it could help Johnson become an even more effective offensive weapon.

After traveling to Indiana and defeating the Pacers, the Atlanta Hawks are 2-1 in preseason action, set to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder next. Nobody will be able to say they weren't battle-tested in the preseason. Before their meeting with the Pacers, they took on the Spurs in San Antonio, coming away with another impressive victory over a contender. Their next opponent is in that contender tier, as well.

One of the greatest slow-burn success stories in recent NBA history is that of Jalen Johnson - Atlanta's breakout star forward. He earned All-NBA honors after an incredible 2025-26 season, and is looking to replicate that impact in the next one. Once a niche high-impact starter for a team with no real postseason aspirations, Johnson has blossomed into a force that those around the league can no longer ignore.

Before the Atlanta Hawks faced the Indiana Pacers in their third preseason game, Head Coach Quin Snyder offered an interesting assessment of Dort's defensive capabilities. According to Brad Rowland of the Locked On Hawks podcast, Snyder said, "It's hard to say what position he is because he can guard almost every position. There are some centers you can put him on." Those comments highlight something that makes Dort particularly valuable.

The Atlanta Hawks are a resilient group. Yes, even their end-of-bench guys. The main rotation can't be the only ones bought into the organization's culture if they're serious about leaping into contention. Carving out an identity means sticking with it even when struggles persist. Much of the offseason talk has centered around Atlanta's eye-opening defensive unit, but their successful offensive system that worked like a charm towards the end of last season shouldn't be ignored.

The Atlanta Dream are going to the WNBA Finals. As the Atlanta Hawks prepare for the upcoming season, they'll aim to match the impressive competitiveness of the team currently sharing their home arena. While a visit to the Finals isn't the most realistic outcome for the young Hawks this time around, a slow climb to the top is anticipated. It may not be this year, or even the next, but they're more than on the right track. Winning culture is contagious.

The Atlanta Hawks secured their first preseason victory with a 123-116 road win over the San Antonio Spurs. Eight players scored in double figures, but it was Flemings who led the way with an encouraging all-around performance. The rookie finished with 15 points, five assists and three steals while shooting 50% from beyond the arc.

Many, many Atlanta Hawks fans wanted Aday Mara on their team this summer. It's truly not difficult to understand why. One of their biggest weaknesses over the past several seasons has been their inability to stand strong in the post. Better teams have been able to take advantage of Atlanta's interior. As they reshape the roster, however, adding better perimeter defenders will only lessen the impact of not having a traditional big. It's not as needed anymore.