New-look Hawks should contend in watered-down Eastern Conference 

Growing tired of losing, the Atlanta Hawks made several moves this offseason that signal they are trying to contend for the first time in years. However, based on their new-look roster and the landscape of the NBA's Eastern Conference, how good will the Hawks actually be this season? 

Trying to finally put a legitimate squad around four-time All-Star Trae Young, the Hawks traded for Kristaps Porzingis and Nickeil Alexander-Walker in addition to bringing in other key role players. Now, after failing to get out of the play-in tournament each of the past two postseasons, Atlanta may have enough of a crew to accomplish even more than just making the playoffs. 

Hawks are going all in at the perfect time 

Hawks management decided to go all in, knowing full well the conference would be watered down from how highly contested it has been in recent years. As evidenced by shipping out multiple players in addition to Porzingis, the Celtics are being accused by many of taking a "gap year" due to Jayson Tatum recovering from an Achilles tear he suffered during the playoffs last season. 

In addition to Boston not being as loaded, the reigning Eastern Conference champion Pacers will be without their best player all season, as Tyrese Haliburton also went down with an Achilles injury, enduring an emotional exit from Game 7 of the NBA Finals. 

The Pacers also lost another key piece when Myles Turner signed with the rival Milwaukee Bucks. And speaking of the Bucks, they no longer have future Hall of Fame player Damian Lillard, who is back in Portland rehabbing from his own torn Achilles. 

Now with Mike Brown at the helm and even more pressure, Jalen Brunson and the Knicks remain a favorite. Cleveland is expected to be near the top of the conference most of the season again as well. But behind those teams, there's a clear path for the Hawks to shoot up the standings. Other teams may ascend along with Atlanta; the Orlando Magic appear to be on the rise, and the Detroit Pistons are fresh off a competitive first-round series with the Knicks. 

New additions will help to create space for Trae Young 

If Porzingis can stay healthy, he will open up tons of space for Young, who holds a 25.3 points per game average for his career but was a tick below at 24.2 last season, making it easier for him to cook. Porzingis' size — he's 7-foot-2 and 240 pounds — and championship experience from his time with the Celtics should unlock a different level for Young, the face of the Hawks since being selected in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft.  

Porzingis will also join Onyeka Okongwu as a premier rebounder and a possible occasional double-double when asked to help offensively. Alexander-Walker will take some of the scoring load off Young's shoulders while alleviating some of the pressure on recent high draft picks Zaccharie Risacher and Asa Newell as they develop. 

Either by default due to the decline of the usual suspects or because of the improvement of the team as a whole, there's no reason why the 2025-26 season shouldn't be the Hawks' best of the Young era yet.