Kristaps Porzingis joins Atlanta via a three-team swap, immediately altering the Hawks’ ceiling with size, shooting, and rim protection, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker lands a four-year, $62 million deal and Luke Kennard provides reliable shooting depth on a one-year, $11 million pact. GMs across the league project Atlanta to finish fourth in the East, yet ESPN modeler Kevin Pelton pegs them at 44 wins and seventh in the conference, highlighting health risk for Porzingis and Jalen Johnson as the swing factors. The bench gains with Dyson Daniels and Zaccharie Risacher in more developed roles, and Trae Young now anchors what could be Atlanta’s most talented roster yet.

Healthy or not, the fit around Young looks optimized for offensive efficiency and spacing, with a deeper wing and guard rotation aiding both star production and late-game versatility. The question remains whether the health curve can stay favorable through a long season, but the accumulation of talent has Hawks fans buzzing in a way the franchise hasn’t felt in years.

Year-two players anchor the 2025-26 fantasy landscape, led by Donovan Clingan's late-season move into Portland's starting lineup and strong rebounding/blocks. Edey, Sarr and Ware project sustained frontcourt value with varying health and role risk, while Missi and Castle offer versatile multi-category floors.

A deeper cohort—Buzelis, George, Sheppard, Bona, Filipowski, Wells, McCain, Carrington, Dunn, Risacher, Collier, da Silva, Holland and Mitchell—could swing fantasy leagues with minutes and fit should roster changes unlock roles.