The Atlanta Hawks enter the 2026 NBA Draft with a transparent organizational want regardless of a profitable 46-36 season and a return to the playoffs.
Based on Marc Stein, Atlanta is predicted to prioritize including one other guard, with league sources indicating the staff desires a downhill ball-handler who can develop alongside rising star Jalen Johnson.
“The Hawks actually may stand to profit from choosing a guard,” Stein reported on June 16. Whereas Atlanta stays optimistic about re-signing veteran CJ McCollum after his robust postseason, the franchise is reportedly searching for a longer-term answer within the backcourt.
The logic is straightforward to grasp. McCollum, who turns 35 earlier than the beginning of subsequent season, was productive after arriving in Atlanta. He averaged 18.7 factors and 4.1 assists in 41 regular-season video games whereas capturing 45.6% from the sphere. His impression continued within the playoffs, the place he posted 19.2 factors per sport throughout six contests against the New York Knicks.
But Atlanta’s offensive future more and more revolves round Johnson. The 24-year-old ahead delivered a breakout marketing campaign, averaging 22.5 factors, 10.3 rebounds and seven.9 assists whereas earning All-NBA Third Team honors. Johnson functioned because the Hawks’ main offensive engine, however the roster lacked one other constant creator able to collapsing defenses and producing rim stress.
That makes Atlanta’s place at No. 8 particularly intriguing in what’s extensively considered as a guard-heavy draft class.
A number of prospects match the profile Stein described. Houston freshman Kingston Flemings might be one of the crucial pure matches. The explosive lead guard averaged 16.1 factors and 5.2 assists whereas capturing 38.7% from three-point vary. Scouts view his skill to assault downhill as one of many strongest parts of his sport, and his defensive upside would complement Atlanta’s current core.
Arkansas standout Darius Acuff Jr. might not be out there when Atlanta selects, however he represents the kind of offensive initiator groups covet. Acuff averaged 23.5 factors and 6.4 assists whereas successful SEC Participant of the Yr. His shot creation skill is taken into account among the many finest within the class.
Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr. is one other potential goal if he slides. The 6-foot-5 guard showcased elite scoring upside, highlighted by a 45-point efficiency that included 10 made three-pointers. His mixture of measurement and offensive versatility may give Atlanta a long-term backcourt centerpiece.
Illinois guard Keaton Wagler may entice curiosity. At 6-foot-6, he gives positional measurement, superior playmaking instincts and environment friendly perimeter capturing after changing 39.7% of his three-point makes an attempt. His skill to function in pick-and-roll conditions may match effectively subsequent to Johnson, who averaged almost eight assists per sport as a ahead.
Atlanta already possesses a powerful defensive basis in Dyson Daniels, who earned All-Defensive Second Team recognition after averaging 2.0 steals per sport, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who completed second within the league’s Most Improved Participant voting after averaging 20.8 factors. Including one other creator would additional steadiness the roster.
The Hawks completed sixth within the Jap Convention and pushed eventual NBA champion New York to 6 video games within the first spherical. With picks No. 8 and No. 23 within the first spherical, Atlanta has a number of alternatives to strengthen its roster, however all indications recommend the entrance workplace views backcourt creation as its high precedence heading into draft evening.
