Think the Atlanta Hawks are just another team? Think again! Even with past defensive critiques for Trae Young, analysts Rachel Nichols and Chris Mannix are buzzing about their 2025-26 roster. Could these strategic moves be the key to Eastern Conference dominance?
The Eastern Conference landscape, thinned by key player injuries on formidable teams like the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers, presents a unique opportunity for a new contender to rise. Amidst this backdrop, the Atlanta Hawks, under the leadership of star guard Trae Young, are strategically positioning themselves to claim this vacant throne, having significantly enhanced their roster for the upcoming 2025-26 season.
Atlanta Hawks General Manager Onsi Saleh has been a proactive architect of this transformation, meticulously adding vital talents such as Nickeil Alexander-Walker to bolster the team’s depth and versatility. While some initial roster adjustments sparked minor controversy, the calculated delays ultimately provided the crucial cap space needed for Saleh to construct a more balanced and formidable team, ready to compete at the highest level.
Among those expressing palpable excitement for the Hawks’ prospects heading into the 2025-26 season are renowned basketball analysts Rachel Nichols and Chris Mannix. The esteemed duo recently dedicated a segment of their popular talk show to a comprehensive discussion about the rejuvenated Atlanta Hawks, sharing their insights and high expectations for the team.
Chris Mannix initiated the conversation, articulating his profound admiration for Onsi Saleh’s bold strategy with the Atlanta Hawks. Mannix emphasized Saleh’s commitment to going “all in” on the current season, notably highlighted by the decision to forgo an immediate extension for Trae Young, who holds a player option for next summer. He concluded by asserting that the meticulously crafted roster, if Trae Young performs to his full potential, possesses the capability to clinch the Eastern Conference title.
Rachel Nichols echoed Mannix’s enthusiasm, revealing her extensive following of the Hawks during the previous offseason, a period during which she was tasked with writing a detailed piece on Trae Young. This intimate observation allowed her to offer a nuanced perspective, delivering both sharp criticism regarding Young’s defensive liabilities and effusive praise for his exceptional playmaking in a single, concise statement.
Nichols’ insights are particularly pertinent; despite missing the postseason after a Play-In Tournament loss, Trae Young quietly delivered a statistically outstanding season. She highlighted his remarkable achievement of leading the NBA in assists by a significant margin, setting a new record for assist leadership, underscoring his unparalleled vision and offensive impact on the Atlanta Hawks.
A critical piece of the Hawks’ renewed strategy involves the acquisition of Kristaps Porzingis. After battling a mysterious illness last season that hampered his performance with the Boston Celtics, Porzingis has shown clear signs of a full recovery, notably during his dominant performance for Latvia at the EuroBasket tournament. His impressive scoring and efficiency in a low-scoring contest signaled a return to his elite form, offering immense hope for Atlanta’s offensive firepower.
The addition of a healthy Porzingis is transformative for the Atlanta Hawks, especially for Coach Quin Snyder’s preferred “five out” offensive system. With Porzingis, Trae Young will be surrounded by shooters, facilitating easy baskets through Young’s exceptional lob passing. This strategic move aims to energize an offense that ranked 18th in efficiency last season, positioning the Hawks to rebound significantly and emerge as a formidable force in the NBA Eastern Conference.
