How High Should Hawks Fans’ Hopes Be for Next Season?

· Yahoo Sports

For the first time in years, Atlanta Hawks fans have a reason to believe.

Last season came 46 wins, a Southeast Division title, and individual player awards for Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. There is progress for a franchise that had spent much of the past seasons fighting through the Play-In Tournament.

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Should Hawks fans expect another step forward in 2026, or simply hope last season can be repeated?

Hawks’ Progress Beyond the Standings

Atlanta’s front office spent the offseason reinforcing what they had rather than making another blockbuster move. Quin Snyder received a contract extension, veteran guard CJ McCollum returned on a one-year deal, and the Hawks added promising young talent through the draft instead of overhauling the roster.

Additionally, the Hawks added Aaron Wiggins via trade from OKC and Devin Carter via trade from Sacramento for wing/guard depth. The message seems clear: the organization believes its current core of players is capable of success, with the new additions to the supporting cast.

One area fans should watch is improved consistency. For much of the past several seasons, the Hawks have struggled to string together quality performances against championship-caliber opponents. A team ready to become a championship contender not only wins more games, but it also gives flashes of brilliance during those wins.

The striking moment for many fans came while Atlanta faced the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks in the first round of the playoffs. The Hawks pushed them further than most expected, winning two playoff games, including a clutch Game 3 that gave them a 2-1 series lead.

Atlanta can take credit for being the only team throughout the Knicks’ championship run, forcing New York to adjust throughout the series.

What are the fans saying?

The Hawks objectively showed promise in 2025-26 despite injuries and inexperience from the younger players. Additions like Wiggins and Carter, plus potential growth from the rookies Kingston Flemings, Zuby Ejiofor, and Henri Veesaar, could push them back to the playoffs.

On the more optimistic side

Podcasters and insiders Brad Rowland and Glenn Willis from Locked On Hawks spoke highly about the upcoming season.

“This is one of the better, if not the best, Summer League rosters I can recall for the Hawks as far as depth is concerned,” said Rowland.

Glenn Willis added to the potential of the Hawks base, as well as the depth of the roster:

“It’s a good team. There’s a lot of shooting on it. There’s a lot of defense on it,” said Willis.

Fans on the Atlanta Hawks subreddit reacted to a predicted 2026 roster ahead of the NBA Draft. Comments ranged from optimism to tension.

Longtime Atlanta TV host and host at 92.9 The Game, Steak Shapiro, weighed in on the future. He mentioned that if Jalen Johnson takes the next step, if Nickeil Alexander-Walker keeps being a problem on both sides of the ball, and if Dyson Daniels continues to grow more, the Hawks are a top 5 team in the East.

On the more skeptical side

NBA fans commonly refer to the Hawks as a “play-in team at best” or a low-to-mid playoff seed. Despite the wins against the Knicks, they still ended up getting blown out in Game 6, 140-89. This also included the largest halftime lead in NBA history at 47 points.

Critics argue that players like Jonathan Kuminga and even Onyeka Okongwu have yet to deliver at a high level. Okongwu is seen as a decent but lacking starter without championship-caliber rim protection or dominance. The bench and depth are viewed as inconsistent, especially after the blowout losses throughout the season.

However, after the acquisition of Luguentz Dort, while giving away Zaccharie Risacher should further their strength of perimeter defense while also adding a player who was once a very reliable three-point shooter.

“It is not going to be easy for the Hawks to get back to the playoffs,” said Jackson Caudell, writer for Sports Illustrated.

Other users on X speculate about the odds of the Hawks landing in the Play-in area for the 2026 season.

The Eastern Conference is loaded with stronger teams, such as the Boston Celtics, Knicks, and the Detroit Pistons. Many don’t see enough talent for Atlanta to climb higher than a Play-in or first-round exit performance.

The bottom line is that many fans have not seen enough from the Hawks last season. Perhaps they have a reason, as the franchise historically struggles to put up respectable playoff runs.

So, How High Should Expectations Be?

The Hawks should expect to return to the playoffs. Anything less would be a step backward, considering last season’s progress and the organization’s moves to improve the squad. After making the playoffs, expectations can vary. Advancing past the first round would show growth.

Yet for many Atlanta Hawks fans, celebrating this would be conforming to the fact that the Hawks are unsuccessful. Reaching the Eastern Conference Finals would likely require multiple young players exceeding expectations while remaining healthy throughout the season. This season will prove whether the franchise’s vision will be set into motion.

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