The Atlanta Hawks have been making moves this offseason to shake things up and improve their chances of making a deep playoff run. One of the biggest changes was acquiring the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, along with trading away Dejounte Murray to mix things up in the backcourt.
Last season, the Hawks struggled without Trae Young for 28 games, lacking a clear offensive focal point and falling short of the playoffs. It was a disappointing season for the franchise, prompting the need for changes to be made.
In the summer, the Hawks were fortunate to land the first overall pick in the draft, albeit in 2024 instead of the previous year where they could have secured a transformational player like Victor Wembanyama. They settled on Zaccharie Risacher, a young Frenchman known for his shooting, court awareness, and defensive instincts.
Following the draft, the Hawks made a bold move by trading away Dejounte Murray, breaking up a backcourt duo that showed promise but failed to deliver consistent results on the court.
One player who will be under the spotlight this season is De’Andre Hunter, a talented but enigmatic player who has struggled with injuries throughout his career. The former No. 4 pick has shown flashes of potential, but has yet to become a consistent contributor. Could this be the season where he takes the next step and becomes a key player for the Hawks, or will he be on the trade block as a valuable defensive asset?
With these offseason moves and changes to the roster, the Hawks are looking to improve their chances of making a deep playoff run this season. How far can they go? Only time will tell as the new-look Hawks take the court and compete in a tough Eastern Conference.
