The Atlanta Hawks just wrapped up one of the smartest offseasons in the entire NBA. With one roster spot still open, the big picture is finally coming into focus. And that means it’s time for the real question: who came out as the biggest winners and losers from the Hawks’ offseason moves?
Some of these names may surprise you. Let’s dive in.
Winner #1: Trae Young
No shocker here. Trae Young is the biggest winner of the Hawks’ offseason.
Atlanta’s front office just built the perfect roster around their superstar. They added Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kennard, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Caleb Houstan, giving Trae shooting, spacing, and versatility at every position.
Most importantly, they did it without gutting the cap sheet or sacrificing future draft capital.
Now, Trae has:
- A stretch big who can both rim protect and hit threes (Porzingis)
- Multiple wings who can slash, defend, and knock down shots
- A bench that can actually hold leads
Bottom line: if Trae wants to finally enter the MVP conversation and push Atlanta to contender status, this is the squad to do it with.
Winner #2: Zaccharie Risacher Atlanta’s No. 1 pick is another big winner.
Zaccharie Risacher’s best moments come when the floor is spaced and the game moves fast. After this offseason, the Hawks have turbocharged their spacing.
With Kennard, Houstan, and NAW stretching defenses, Risacher no longer has to live as a stationary shooter. He can be the athletic slasher and playmaker he’s meant to be — cutting into wide-open lanes, catching lobs, and attacking closeouts.
And the best part? Atlanta doesn’t need him to be a savior. He can grow, develop, and flourish alongside veterans, giving him the freedom to play his game.
Winner #3: Jalen Johnson
This might be the sneakiest win of all.
Jalen Johnson was already a breakout candidate last season, but now he has less pressure, more spacing, and better help on both ends.
- Offensively, he no longer has to carry the second unit. Instead, he can facilitate, slash, and exploit mismatches.
- Defensively, Porzingis and rookie Asa Newell take on bigger bodies, freeing Johnson to thrive in more favorable assignments.
The game is about to slow down for Jalen, and when it does, he has the tools to make an All-Star leap.
Loser #1: Onyeka Okongwu
This one hurts.
Okongwu is one of the best rim protectors and pick-and-roll bigs in the league. But with Porzingis locked in as the starting center, his role just got murky.
He’s too talented to be a backup, but may not get the 30+ minutes he deserves. The Hawks’ desire for more shooting makes this even tougher, since Porzingis provides spacing that Onyeka doesn’t.
It’s not fair — Okongwu was playing some of his best basketball last season — but unless roles change, his minutes could shrink.
Loser #2: Vit Krejčí and Mouhamed Gueye
Grouping these two together, because both may struggle to find consistent minutes.
Vit and Mo bring hustle, defense, and energy — but the additions of Houstan, Newell, Kennard, and NAW clog the forward rotation.
The margin for error is razor-thin now. These guys may only see the floor if injuries hit or matchups demand it. Hawks fans love them, but opportunities could be scarce.
Loser #3: Quin Snyder
This one’s a little controversial.
On the surface, Quin Snyder is a winner — his front office handed him a roster that fits his system perfectly:
- Shooting ✅
- Defensive versatility ✅
- Bench depth ✅
- Superstar PG ✅
But here’s the flip side: zero excuses.
If this team is sitting at .500 in January or bowing out in the Play-In again, the pressure shifts directly onto Snyder. We’ve seen it before (just ask J.B. Bickerstaff in Cleveland).
The Hawks are built to win now, and Snyder has to deliver.
Final Takeaway
The biggest winners of the Hawks offseason:
- Trae Young (MVP runway)
- Zaccharie Risacher (ideal development path)
- Jalen Johnson (All-Star leap incoming)
The biggest losers:
- Onyeka Okongwu (minutes squeezed by Porzingis)
- Vit Krejčí and Mo Gueye (crowded rotation)
- Quin Snyder (pressure’s on, no excuses)
Atlanta’s offseason may not have been splashy, but it was smart, balanced, and calculated. And now, with one roster spot left, this team is primed to make serious noise in the East.