The Atlanta Hawks promoted their new general manager, Onsi Saleh, on April 21, 2025, following the firing of former general manager Landry Fields. The Hawks finished the 2024-2025 NBA season with a 40-42 record, securing the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, and decided to make changes in management.
The State of the Hawks Heading into the Offseason
The Hawks came into this offseason as a team with a promising young core. Trae Young, Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, Onyeka Okongwu, and the 2024 NBA draft first overall pick, Zaccharie Risacher, are the future of the Hawks. When healthy, this is one of the more impressive younger teams in the NBA. This was highlighted by the Hawks’ run to the semi-finals of the NBA Cup with a marquee win over the Knicks in the quarter-finals.
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Hawks Trade for Kristaps Porzingis
Onsi Saleh’s first major move as the Hawks’ General Manager was to acquire all-star big Kristaps Porzingis from the Celtics as part of a three-team trade. (INSERT TRADE DETAILS) Porzingis completely changes the perspective of the Hawks’ off-season heading into the 2025-2026 season. The Hawks are now attempting to make a run in a depleted Eastern Conference full of major injuries.
Porzingis will drastically improve the spacing for the Hawks on offense. Being one of the best shooting bigs in the NBA, Porzingis can stretch the floor on the offensive side of the floor. This will drastically help Trae Young and Jalen Johnson by opening up more space for them to drive and put more pressure on the rim. Trae Young will benefit the most from this trade due to how effective Porzingis is in pick-and-roll situations on offense as a roller and shooter.
Defensively, the Hawks will remain agile with Porzingis on the floor as he can switch out on opponents on the three-point line. Porzingis is also excellent around the rim in shot blocking as he effectively uses his 7’2 frame on the defensive side of the floor.
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