Atlanta enters 2026-27 as a Southeast Division champion built around All-NBA forward Jalen Johnson, Most Improved Player Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and defender Dyson Daniels, with two first-round picks and veteran trades to add depth.
This Atlanta Hawks 2026-27 season preview breaks down every major storyline entering the year: the team's 2026 NBA Draft picks, its free agency departures and acquisitions, the roster and projected starting lineup, updated Vegas win total and championship odds, and Hawks fantasy basketball analysis on the players who matter most heading into DFS and season-long drafts. After trading Young to Washington for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert in January, the Hawks went 46-36, won the Southeast, and lost a six-game first-round series to the Knicks. This summer they re-signed McCollum, added Lu Dort and Aaron Wiggins from Oklahoma City, and drafted two first-rounders.
Hawks 2026-27 Season at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| 2025-26 Record | 46-36 |
| 2025-26 Finish | 1st in Southeast, lost in first round (2-4 to Knicks) |
| 2026-27 Win Total | 43.5 |
| Championship Odds | +7000 |
| 2026 Draft Picks | No. 8, No. 23, No. 57 |
| Biggest Addition | Kingston Flemings (No. 8 pick) |
| Key Player | Jalen Johnson |
| Fantasy Player to Watch | Dyson Daniels |
Atlanta's 43.5 win total sits in the 36-to-46 win range the Hawks have landed in for six straight seasons, and the +7000 championship odds make them a long shot despite the division title.
2026 NBA Draft: Hawks' Picks and Fits
Atlanta held two first-round picks, No. 8 from New Orleans and No. 23 from Cleveland, and used both on players meant to add scoring and depth around its young core.
| Pick | Player | Position | School | 2026-27 Impact | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 8 (1st Rd) | Kingston Flemings | PG | Houston | Backup point guard | Pick obtained from New Orleans in last year's draft-night trade; one of the top guard prospects and expected to give the offense a shot creator behind McCollum. |
| No. 23 (1st Rd) | Zuby Ejiofor | F/C | St. John's | Frontcourt depth | Popular college big man expected to compete for minutes behind Onyeka Okongwu. |
The Hawks also held the No. 57 pick and have spent two years stockpiling first-round picks under general manager Onsi Saleh.
Key Free Agent Departures
Atlanta's offseason departures were wings who played modest roles in the playoff loss to New York:
| Player | 2025-26 Role | 2026-27 Status | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zaccharie Risacher | Reserve wing (2024 No. 1 pick) | Traded to Dallas Mavericks | Moderate |
| Jonathan Kuminga | Reserve forward | Minnesota Timberwolves | Moderate |
| Buddy Hield | Reserve wing | Traded to Charlotte Hornets | Minimal |
Risacher was sent to Dallas in the Ryan Nembhard deal, and Kuminga left in free agency when the Hawks declined his option, ending a short tenure that began in the Kristaps Porzingis trade.
Key Free Agent Acquisitions and Re-Signings
| Player | Terms | Type | Fantasy/Roster Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| CJ McCollum | 1 yr | Re-signed | Came over in the Trae Young trade and emerged as a playoff force; two of Atlanta's wins over the Knicks came on his play. |
| Lu Dort | Via trade (from Oklahoma City) | Trade acquisition | Perimeter defender added as a salary dump from the Thunder. |
| Aaron Wiggins | Via trade (from Oklahoma City) | Trade acquisition | Wing depth acquired in the same Thunder cost-cutting move. |
| Dorian Finney-Smith | Via trade (from Charlotte) | Trade acquisition | Veteran forward added for depth. |
| Jock Landale | 1 yr | Re-signed | Backup center retained. |
Major Roster Moves and Projected Starting Lineup
Atlanta's retooling kept its young core intact. Johnson, 24, is on a contract averaging about $30 million, Alexander-Walker is on one of the best mid-level deals in the league, and the Hawks have about $54 million in expiring salary between McCollum, Dort, and Landale, which gives the front office room for a blockbuster. Executives have said Atlanta intends to be patient with its core of Johnson, Daniels, Okongwu, and Alexander-Walker.
Projected Starters
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| PG | CJ McCollum |
| SG | Nickeil Alexander-Walker |
| SF | Dyson Daniels |
| PF | Jalen Johnson |
| C | Onyeka Okongwu |
Bench Rotation
- Backcourt: Kingston Flemings, RayJ Dennis
- Wing: Luguentz Dort, Aaron Wiggins, Corey Kispert, Dorian Finney-Smith
- Frontcourt: Asa Newell, Jock Landale
Atlanta's starting five of McCollum, Alexander-Walker, Daniels, Johnson, and Okongwu ranked near the top of the league in net rating late last season.
Hawks Biggest Fantasy Questions
Can Jalen Johnson Repeat His Near Triple-Double Season?
Johnson averaged 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 7.9 assists in 72 games, joined a short list of players with that line, and made the All-NBA Third Team. His assists and rebounds make him a first-round pick, and his role is unchallenged after the Young trade.
Is Dyson Daniels a Top-60 Fantasy Asset Despite Poor Shooting?
Daniels averaged 11.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 2.0 steals in 76 games but shot only 18.8% from three. His steals and assists give him a high floor, but his scoring and threes limit his ceiling.
Hawks Fantasy Basketball 2026-27: Key Players to Know
Four Hawks fantasy players carry meaningful weight into 2026-27 drafts, with Johnson's ceiling and Daniels' steals as the dominant storylines.
Jalen Johnson Fantasy Outlook
- 2026-27 ADP: 10.2
- Position: PF/SF
- 2025-26 Stats: 22.5 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 7.9 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1.7 3PM (72 games)
- Fantasy Outlook: First-round rebounder and playmaker
- What to Watch: Games played and turnovers
Johnson ranked in the top five in rebounds and assists per game, including 31 points, 18 rebounds, 14 assists, and 7 steals in one game. He turns the ball over 3.4 times per game, but his category value is elite.
Dyson Daniels Fantasy Outlook
- 2026-27 ADP: 62.9
- Position: PG/SF/SG
- 2025-26 Stats: 11.9 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 5.9 APG, 2.0 SPG (76 games)
- Fantasy Outlook: Steals and assists with weak shooting
- What to Watch: Three-point shooting and free-throw percentage
Daniels led the league in steals per game and finished second in total steals. A rise in shooting would turn him into a top-40 pick.
Onyeka Okongwu Fantasy Outlook
- 2026-27 ADP: 57.8
- Position: C
- 2025-26 Stats: 79 blocks (20th in the NBA)
- Fantasy Outlook: Blocks, rebounds, and field-goal percentage
- What to Watch: Playing time with Newell and Ejiofor behind him
Okongwu is the starting center and a steady source of blocks and efficient scoring. He can space the floor and rebound at a high level, which makes him so valuable in fantasy leagues.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker Fantasy Outlook
- 2026-27 ADP: 57.7
- Position: PG/SG
- 2025-26 Stats: 20.8 PPG, 251 three-pointers (4th in NBA)
- Fantasy Outlook: Threes and points from a guard
- What to Watch: Repeating career highs after winning Most Improved Player
Alexander-Walker won Most Improved Player and was Johnson's second option. His three-point volume gives him strong category value, though regression is possible.
Hawks Fantasy Sleepers & Breakouts
Hawks Fantasy Sleeper
CJ McCollum: McCollum was a playoff force after arriving in the Young trade and re-signed on a one-year deal. At an ADP of 107.7, he is one of the best late-round options on the board considering he has the upside of being a 20-5-5 player.
Hawks Fantasy Breakout Candidate
Dyson Daniels: Daniels already leads the league in steals, and a modest improvement in his shooting would unlock a top-40 profile. At an ADP of 62.9, he has real upside as the Hawks' primary perimeter defender and secondary playmaker.
Data via NBA.com, ESPN, Yahoo Sports, Hoops Rumors, Spotrac, BetMGM, RotoWire, and Basketball Reference. Odds and win totals reflect lines as of early October 2026 and are subject to change.