The Atlanta Hawks have already made some moves this offseason to become candidates for the Eastern Conference next year.
The Hawks finished the 2024-25 season with an overwhelming 40-42 record and lost in the play-in tournament between the Orlando Magic and the Miami Heat.
They had to make some dramatic changes to their roster over the summer, and the front office was officially delivered.
The Hawks recently traded for Kristaps Porzingis of the Boston Celtics and signed Nikkill Alexander Walker and Luke Kennard in free agency.
NBA champion Kendrick Perkins gave a verdict in the Atlanta offseason, predicting where he will finish in the East.
The Hawks are one of several Eastern Conference teams who fantasize about their chances after the injuries to Jason Tatum and Ty Halliburton.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons all feel the same, but at least the Hawks are in the mix.
Perkins was asked how seriously the Hawks should be considered among the best teams in the meeting.
“It’s very serious,” he said. “I think they’ll finish the top three, and they have a young superstar who’s been neglected in Trey Young.
“Now, all of a sudden you brought Alexander Walker with you, and you saw what he did with the Minnesota Timberwolves last year.
“We’re going to add some shoots for Luke Kennard, but we’re going to add something big for Christaps Porzingis.
“Remember what they already have in Atlanta. You have Jalen Johnson, who was an All-Star before he was injured before he was injured. He’s one of the most athletic guys in the league.
“You have a professional pest, Dyson Daniels. As long as Oklahoma City is loaded into the wing position, it’s a bit of a mimicking what they’re doing.
“The Hawks have no excuse to not be the top three seed at the Eastern Conference, and I like how they did this offseason.
The Hawks definitely pulled away this year’s deal during the NBA draft. They sent their 13th pick to the Pelicans in New Orleans, with their 23rd pick and future first round picks.
What makes this move so incredibly unbelievable is that the Pick is not initially protected from either the Pelican or the Milwaukee Bucks in 2026.
The Bucks don’t seem particularly good for next season after injuring Damian Lillard despite signing Miles Turner.
The Pelican, on the other hand, will likely miss the playoffs as the Western Conference is very loaded and Zion Williamson is at a risk of such an injury.
The Hawks receive two better picks.