Why This Eastern Conference Team Could Be a Sleeping Giant This Year
The Atlanta Hawks enter the 2025–26 season as one of the Eastern Conference’s most intriguing “sleeping giants.” While few experts place them among the favorites, there is a sense that this roster has the right blend of talent, depth, and upside to surprise. The East is nowhere near the talent level of the West, and this has been evident over the past few seasons. Trae Young remains at the center of everything, and his ability to orchestrate the offense gives Atlanta a constant edge. What makes this year different is the supporting cast around him, which looks deeper and more versatile than in past seasons. By adding players like Kristaps Porziņģis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Luke Kennard, the Hawks have given Young new outlets that can stretch the floor and keep defenses honest. Combined with the continued growth of Dyson Daniels, Zaccharie Risacher, and Jalen Johnson, this version of the Hawks feels more balanced and better equipped to handle the ups and downs of a long season.
One of the most significant shifts for Atlanta is its newfound defensive potential. Daniels, who led the league in steals last season, gives the team the kind of perimeter defender they’ve lacked, while Risacher’s size and versatility add another dimension on the wing. With Capela still anchoring the paint and Porziņģis providing additional rim protection, the Hawks may have the tools to match up against the East’s best offensive teams. That defensive foundation, paired with the offensive firepower of Young and the floor spacing provided by Kennard and Porziņģis, makes Atlanta a much more complete team than it has been in years past. If they can tighten their rotations and build chemistry, the Hawks will have the potential to swing games on both ends of the floor.
Of course, health will be the deciding factor in whether Atlanta can transform its potential into results. Porziņģis brings valuable rim protection and outside shooting, but his durability has always been a concern. If he can stay on the floor, his presence alongside Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu gives the Hawks a frontcourt that can protect the rim while also spacing the floor. On the perimeter, Young will need to stay healthy as well, as the offense still revolves around his playmaking. With Alexander-Walker’s versatility and Kennard’s shooting, Atlanta finally looks like a team that can complement Young’s elite scoring and passing without relying on him to carry every possession. If those pieces mesh and the roster remains healthy, the Hawks could avoid the Play-In tournament and secure a top-six seed in the East.
What makes Atlanta particularly dangerous is the fact that it’s already shown the blueprint for a deep run. A few years ago, this team surprised the basketball world by reaching the Eastern Conference Finals when few thought it possible. The current roster has more maturity, more depth, and arguably more upside than that version. If the Hawks can stay healthy and consistent, there is no reason they can’t recapture that same magic and make another run at the conference finals. For now, they may be flying under the radar, but that’s precisely what makes them a threat. If they wake up at the right time, Atlanta has the potential to be the Eastern Conference’s true sleeping giant.
