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Kristaps Porzingis Kristaps Porzi??is (illness) says he feels âgreat'
Tue, Jul 29, 2025, 12:04 PM
Sporta Studija
Kristaps Porzi??is (illness) said during an interview on Monday that he feels âgreatâ after struggling with illness during this past spring's playoffs.
Analysis: Porzi??is was sidelined by an illness late in the regular season and never seemed to get back on track physically. The 7-foot-2 forward/center struggled with fatigue, which limited his playing time as the Celtics were ultimately eliminated in the second round. Traded to the Hawks just before the draft, Porzi??is said he did not do much during June, and the time off has been beneficial. Porzi??is is preparing to represent Latvia at FIBA EuroBasket, which begins in late August. A healthy Porzi??is can be an excellent fantasy asset next season, playing off of Trae Young and sharing the frontcourt with Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu. However, his medical history will likely impact his value in fantasy drafts. |
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Kobe Bufkin Kobe Bufkin scores 25 points in overtime victory
Mon, Jul 14, 2025, 1:09 PM
Kobe Bufkin accounted for 25 points (8-of-15 FGs, 5-of-6 FTs), six rebounds, three assists, two steals, one block and four three-pointers in Monday's win over the Rockets.
Analysis: Bufkin shot the ball far better than on Sunday, when the Hawks guard made only three of 17 attempts from the field in a win over Phoenix. However, the scoring efficiency was countered by a brutal day regarding ball control. Bufkin turned the ball over nine times against the Rockets, eight more than his total on Sunday. While his opportunities will be limited once the regular season begins, Bufkin must be efficient as a scorer and playmaker to log consistent minutes off the bench. |
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Jacob Toppin Jacob Toppin (hip) will not return Monday vs. HOU
Mon, Jul 14, 2025, 12:05 PM
Brad Rowland
Jacob Toppin (hip) is out for the remainder of Monday's game against the Rockets.
Analysis: Toppin, who agreed to a two-way contract in March, played well in Las Vegas before suffering an injury. According to the Hawks, he's dealing with a left hip injury sustained during the first half of Monday's game. Given Atlanta's depth at the power forward position, Toppin may struggle to get the minutes needed to impact fantasy basketball once the regular season begins. That said, the Hawks had to be pleased with his play at summer league. |
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Kobe Bufkin Kobe Bufkin records nine assists vs. Phoenix
Sun, Jul 13, 2025, 12:08 PM
Kobe Bufkin amassed 10 points (3-of-17 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), six rebounds and nine assists in Sunday's win over the Suns.
Analysis: Bufkin did not have a good day shooting the basketball, but that's unsurprising given that he's working his way back from season-ending shoulder surgery in December. The rust is expected. The positive for Bufkin is that he dished out nine assists while committing just one turnover. Bufkin has little fantasy value at this point behind Trae Young, Dyson Daniels, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. However, Bufkin reaching the point where he can be trusted with rotation minutes would benefit the franchise. |
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David Roddy David Roddy sent to Hawks in Durant trade
Sun, Jul 6, 2025, 6:02 AM
Fred Katz
David Roddy will reportedly be sent to the Hawks as part of a seven-team trade.
Analysis: Roddy started last season with Atlanta before ending the year on a two-way with Houston. It's unclear if he'll remain with the Hawks, but he certainly won't be a large part of the team's rotation. |
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Luke Kennard Shams: Hawks sign Luke Kennard to one-year deal
Mon, Jun 30, 2025, 3:04 PM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports the Hawks signed G/F Luke Kennard to a one-year, $11 million deal.
Analysis: Few teams have gotten off to a better start to the offseason than the Hawks, who added Kennard and Nickeil Alexander-Walker in free agency and Kristaps Porzingis via trade. Kennard agreed to a one-year deal, giving Atlanta a capable shooter off the bench. In 65 appearances for the Grizzlies last season, he shot 43.3 percent from three and is regarded as one of the best three-point shooters in the NBA. While the bench role would limit Kennard's fantasy ceiling, opportunities to offer solid streaming value throughout the season will be there. |
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Nickeil Alexander-Walker Shams: Hawks acquire NAW in sign and trade
Mon, Jun 30, 2025, 2:11 PM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports G/F Nickeil Alexander-Walker has agreed to a four-year, $62 million deal with the Hawks.
Analysis: The Hawks are sending a 2027 second-round pick via Cleveland and cash to the Timberwolves to complete the sign-and-trade. The contract includes a player option and a trade kicker. The writing appeared to be on the wall for Alexander-Walker in Minnesota with the Timberwolves opting to re-sign both Julius Randle and Naz Reid. Now the 26-year-old shooting guard finds himself on a Hawks team that appears to be going for it in a wide open Eastern Conference. Alexander-Walker and Dyson Daniels can provide premium defense in the backcourt around the playmaking Trae Young. NA-W's minutes will be limited enough that he'll likely need injuries around him to produce real fantasy value in 2025-26. |
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Kristaps Porzingis Porzingis headed to Atlanta in three-team deal
Tue, Jun 24, 2025, 12:55 PM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reported Kristaps Porzingis had been traded to the Hawks along with a second-round pick as part of a three-team trade that will send Terance Mann and the No. 22 pick in the 2025 draft to the Nets and Georges Niang and a second-round pick to the Celtics.
Analysis: Rumors had been heating up shortly before the deal went down, and now it's official: Porzingis is headed to Atlanta. It's unclear how he'll fit into the rotation; Onyeka Okongwu thrived as a starter down the stretch of last season. It will likely result in another minutes split at center in Atlanta, which is what Okongwu just got out of after years of sharing time with Clint Capela. The Hawks would've had multiple center options available with the 22nd pick, but none of them would make the impact that Porzingis will be ready to make next season. Atlanta loses some forward depth, but they can address that with the 13th pick. |
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Clint Capela Buha: Capela likely a top target for Lakers
Fri, Jun 13, 2025, 8:34 AM
Jovan Buha
The Athletic's Jovan Buha reports that Clint Capela is likely to be a top free agent target for the Lakers this summer.
Analysis: With Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu set to man the starting frontcourt positions in Atlanta, Capela is likely to look for a new team. The Lakers' Achilles heel is the team's lack of depth at center, and Capela could provide a strong presence down low. If he signs with LA, expect Capela to supplant Jaxson Hayes as the starter or at the very least split playing time with him. |
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Dyson Daniels Dyson Daniels records double-double in loss to MIA
Fri, Apr 18, 2025, 4:28 PM
Dyson Daniels recorded a double-double on Friday with 11 points (5-of-13 FGs), 10 rebounds, four assists, three steals and one three-pointer against the Heat.
Analysis: Daniels is a candidate to win the NBA's Most Improved Player and Defensive Player of the Year award, but he didn't contribute much on the offensive end in Atlanta's two play-in games. He scored a total of 18 points across both games, but he added 22 rebounds, 11 assists and five defensive stats in their play-in games. Daniels had an incredibly breakout season and should be rewarded with some postseason honors. After being one of the best late-round picks in the draft this season, he'll be selected much earlier heading into next year. |
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Trae Young Young scores 29 points with 11 assists vs. Heat
Fri, Apr 18, 2025, 4:12 PM
Trae Young led the Hawks with 29 points (9-of-22 FGs), five rebounds, 11 assists, one steal, one block and four three-pointers in a 123-114 loss to the Heat on Friday.
Analysis: Trae was able to hit some big shots down the stretch of this game to make his stat line look much better after a rough start. That included a layup with 1.3 seconds left in the fourth quarter to force overtime. However, Miami was able to heat up in overtime, and the Hawks couldn't keep up. Trae started off this season shooting worse than usual, but he ended up shooting 41.1 percent over the course of the year. Not great, but much better than how he started. He also set a new career high for assists per game, which is something he has done every year of his career. He may not be able to top 11.6 assists per game next year, but he will continue to be an elite source of points and dimes. |
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Onyeka Okongwu Okongwu puts up 28 points, 12 rebounds vs. MIA
Fri, Apr 18, 2025, 4:04 PM
Onyeka Okongwu turned in a full line on Friday with 28 points (12-of-19 FGs), 12 rebounds, one assist, three steals, one block and four three-pointers against the Heat.
Analysis: Okongwu was much better against Miami than he was against Orlando, but it wasn't enough to change the result for the Hawks. Still, it was an excellent night in the box score for Okongwu, and it should have fantasy managers feeling encouraged ahead of next season. He took over as the Hawks' starting center in January and averaged 15.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.9 blocks and 0.9 triples after taking the job. He should remain in a starting role next season, which makes him an attractive option in category formats. He should be taken in the top-50 in drafts. |
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Georges Niang Georges Niang posts 20/4/4 stat line vs. Heat
Fri, Apr 18, 2025, 3:57 PM
Georges Niang came off the Atlanta bench to produce 20 points (8-of-15 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), four rebounds, four assists, two steals and two three-pointers in 26 minutes in Friday's loss to the Heat.
Analysis: Niang put together another strong outing on Friday to add to his recent stretch of good performances. Including Atlanta's play-in tournament loss to the Magic, Friday's double-digit outing marked the fourth consecutive for the nine-year forward out of Iowa State. Niang settled in nicely and found a role with the Hawks after being traded from the Cavaliers earlier this season. He'll likely be a deep-league option in fantasy leagues next season. |
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Trae Young Trae Young (Achilles) available vs. Miami Friday
Fri, Apr 18, 2025, 11:13 AM
Brad Rowland
Trae Young (Achilles) is available to play against the Heat on Friday.
Analysis: As expected, Young will be good to go for Atlanta's play-in matchup. Young had 28 points before being ejected from Tuesday's game against the Magic. The Hawks will need him to be even better (and for him to be available for the whole game) if they want to advance to play the Cavaliers in the first round. |
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Trae Young Trae Young (Achilles) probable Friday vs. Heat
Thu, Apr 17, 2025, 11:12 AM
Brad Rowland
Trae Young (Achilles) is probable for Friday's game against the Heat.
Analysis: Even in the postseason, the Hawks continue to list Young as probable with an Achilles injury. The listing is performative, stemming from Young being held out of an NBA Cup game earlier this season despite not appearing on the injury report, which resulted in a $100K fine for the Hawks. With the Hawks' season on the line Friday, expect Young to be cleared to play once again. |
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Dyson Daniels Dyson Daniels limited to seven points in loss
Tue, Apr 15, 2025, 4:37 PM
Dyson Daniels shot 3-of-8 from the field and 1-of-2 from the foul line in Tuesday's loss to the Magic, scoring seven points with 12 rebounds, seven assists and two blocked shots in 35 minutes.
Analysis: One of the NBA's best defenders, Daniels is in a position where his team also needs consistent offensive production. He struggled against the Magic, which is unsurprising based on what happened during the regular season. In three appearances against Orlando, Daniels averaged 11.7 points per game on 42.9 percent shooting. He'll need to be much better on Friday night if the Hawks are to reach the postseason. Atlanta will host the winner of Wednesday's game between Miami and Chicago on Friday, with the winner being the eighth seed in the East. |
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Onyeka Okongwu Onyeka Okongwu posts 11/9/3/0/1 line vs. Orlando
Tue, Apr 15, 2025, 4:35 PM
Onyeka Okongwu accumulated 11 points (5-of-10 FGs), nine rebounds, three assists, one block and one three-pointer in 33 minutes in Tuesday's loss to the Magic.
Analysis: After sitting out Sunday's regular-season finale, Okongwu had a minimal impact on Tuesday's proceedings in Orlando. This performance was a far cry from his production in an April 8 loss to the Magic, in which the Hawks center went for 30 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and three steals. Okongwu and the Hawks return home for another Play-In tournament game on Friday, as they'll host the winner of Wednesday's matchup between Miami and Chicago. |
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Trae Young Trae Young scores 28 points before ejection Tues.
Tue, Apr 15, 2025, 4:02 PM
Trae Young was ejected from Tuesday's Play-In tournament game against the Magic with 4:23 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Analysis: Young's frustrating night ended prematurely, as he picked up two quick technical fouls with the game out of reach. He finished with 28 points (8-of-21 FGs, 11-of-12 FTs), two rebounds, six assists, one steal and one three-pointer in 40 minutes. Young and the Hawks will look to rebound on Friday when they host the winner of Wednesday's game between the Heat and Bulls. |
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Trae Young Trae Young (Achilles) available Tuesday vs. ORL
Tue, Apr 15, 2025, 11:53 AM
Brad Rowland
Trae Young (Achilles) is available for Tuesday's game against the Magic.
Analysis: As expected, Young has been upgraded from probable to available for Tuesday's 7/8 Play-In tournament matchup. He'll occupy his usual role within the Hawks' starting lineup. The winner of Tuesday's game will face Boston in the first round, with Game 1 scheduled for Sunday. The loser will host the winner of Wednesday's matchup between Miami and Chicago on Friday for the eighth seed in the East. |
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Trae Young Trae Young (Achilles) probable vs. Orlando
Mon, Apr 14, 2025, 11:10 AM
Atlanta Hawks
Trae Young (Achilles) is probable to play against the Magic in the Play-In Tournament on Tuesday.
Analysis: Even in the postseason, Atlanta is still listing Young as probable ahead of every game. There isn't a chance that he sits out, so expect him to occupy his typical spot in the starting unit in the 7/8 matchup, with a chance to play the Celtics in the first round on the line. |
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