Hawks roster outlook following first day of NBA free agency

It’s been a while since the Atlanta Hawks have been among the most talked-about teams in the NBA, but the first couple of weeks of the offseason have the media buzzing about a new Eastern Conference threat.

Onsi Saleh not only acquired Kristaps Porzingis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Luke Kennard to better the Hawks for this upcoming season, but he was also able to somehow swindle the Pelicans out of a 2026 unprotected first-round pick on draft night that could completely change the future of basketball in Atlanta. This is quickly shaping up to be one of the most exciting times in franchise history, featuring a roster that could really make some noise in a wide open Eastern Conference.

Atlanta Hawks 2025-2026 Roster Outlook

PG: Trae Young, Kobe Bufkin

SG: Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Luke Kennard, Vit Krejci (non-guaranteed)

SF: Zaccharie Risacher,

PF: Jalen Johnson, Asa Newell, Mouhamed Gueye (non-guaranteed)

C: Kristaps Porzingis, Onyeka Okongwu

Atlanta Hawks Projected Cap Space

Current Projected Salary: $180 million

Tax Threshold: $187.8 million

The Atlanta Hawks are likely done with their big moves. They still have a $13.1 million trade exception as well as an $11.3 million trade exception and are currently about $8 million under the tax threshold. While Tony Ressler and the rest of the Hawks ownership group have consistently said they are willing to go over the tax, history would tell us otherwise.

That likely means there are probably one or two more smaller moves the Hawks will make before basketball activities begin to ramp back up. Bringing back Larry Nance Jr. makes a lot of sense, given the injury history of Kristaps Porzingis. A more reliable backup point guard should also be a priority. Kobe Bufkin just hasn’t shown enough in his first two years in the league, and he’s coming off a season-ending injury. At the very least, a veteran depth piece behind Trae Young should be added into the fold.