If you haven't checked the box scores in a couple of weeks, the current state of the players on Atlanta Hawks might give you a mild case of whiplash. The "Ice Trae" era is officially over. Gone. Done. On January 7, 2026, the franchise hit the detonator, sending Trae Young to the Washington Wizards.
It feels weird, right? For eight years, everything in Atlanta orbited around Trae's logo threes and floaters. But honestly, the vibe at State Farm Arena has shifted from "How many can Trae score?" to "How big can Jalen Johnson become?" The roster is unrecognizable compared to the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals run, and that’s probably a good thing.
The team is currently sitting at 20-23, hovering in that 9th-seed purgatory, but the identity is finally becoming clear. It’s no longer a one-man show. It’s a group of long, switchable athletes who actually care about playing defense.
Jalen Johnson is the New Sun
Let’s be real: Jalen Johnson is the best player on this team. He isn't just a "breakout" candidate anymore; he’s the engine. This season, he’s putting up absurd numbers—23.1 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game.
Think about those stats for a second.
Those are basically LeBron-lite numbers. At 6'8", his ability to grab a rebound and ignite a fastbreak is the only reason the Hawks' offense hasn't completely cratered since the trade. He’s shooting nearly 52% from the floor, and while his three-point shot is still a work in progress (around 35%), his gravity in the paint is massive.
The most impressive part? His playmaking. Before the Young trade, people wondered if Jalen could actually run an offense. Well, he's currently leading the team in assists. He’s not just a dunker; he’s a point-forward who sees the floor two steps ahead of the defense.
The Dyson Daniels Defensive Masterclass
If Jalen is the engine, Dyson Daniels is the emergency brake for the other team. People called him a "throw-in" in the Dejounte Murray trade last year. They were wrong.
Daniels is currently leading the NBA in steals, averaging nearly 2.0 per game. But the box score doesn't show how he smothers opposing point guards. He’s been in the 100th percentile for perimeter isolation defense this season. Basically, if you try to take him one-on-one, you’re probably going to have a bad night.
His offense? It’s... okay. He’s averaging about 11.7 points and 6.1 assists. He’s had to step into more of a ball-handling role with Trae gone, and while his jumper still looks a bit shaky (that 11.3% from three is a typo-level nightmare, though he’s better in reality than the raw slump numbers suggest), his "connective" passing is elite.
The Veteran Arrivals: CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert
The Trae Young trade brought back two very specific things the Hawks lacked: veteran poise and elite spacing.
- CJ McCollum: He’s 34 now, but he still knows how to get to his spots. He was brought in to be the "adult in the room." He’s only been here a week or so, but his mid-range game provides a safety valve for when the young guys get frantic.
- Corey Kispert: This was the sneaky-good part of the deal. Kispert is a flamethrower. In a league where you need shooters to surround a guy like Jalen Johnson, Kispert fits like a glove. He’s a career 39% shooter from deep who doesn't need the ball to be effective.
Zaccharie Risacher’s Growth Spurt
The former #1 overall pick, Zaccharie Risacher, is starting to look like the player the Hawks hoped for. His rookie year had some serious "Welcome to the NBA" struggles, especially in December when his shot disappeared.
But lately? He’s been a different beast.
In January 2026, his rebounding has nearly doubled. He’s starting to use that 6'9" frame to disrupt passing lanes. He’s averaging about 12.6 points, but it’s the efficiency that’s climbing. He recently had a 38-point explosion against the Nets, which put him in the company of LeBron and Anthony Edwards as some of the only rookies to hit that mark with five-plus threes.
He’s the "X-factor." If Risacher turns into a consistent 18-point-per-game scorer who plays elite defense, the Hawks' rebuild will be much shorter than people think.
The Big Man Rotation: Porziņģis and Okongwu
The center spot is a weird mix of elite talent and "what if."
Kristaps Porziņģis is still here, providing that 7'2" rim protection and floor spacing. When he’s healthy, the Hawks' defense is actually top-10. The problem, as it has been his entire career, is the "when he's healthy" part.
Meanwhile, Onyeka Okongwu continues to be the most underrated part of the players on Atlanta Hawks roster. He’s 25 now and finally looks comfortable as a starting-caliber center. He’s averaging a career-high in blocks and has even started taking (and making) the occasional corner three. He’s the physical heart of the team.
Current Atlanta Hawks Roster Snapshot (January 2026)
The rotation has tightened up under Quin Snyder. Here is who is actually seeing the floor:
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The Starters
Jalen Johnson is the undisputed focal point at forward. Dyson Daniels handles the point-of-attack defense at guard. Zaccharie Risacher is the primary wing, while Kristaps Porziņģis anchors the middle. CJ McCollum rounds out the backcourt with veteran scoring.
The Bench Sparks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been a godsend as a 3-and-D backup, playing nearly 33 minutes a night. Onyeka Okongwu provides the muscle inside. Corey Kispert is the designated floor spacer, and Vit Krejčí continues to provide surprisingly good bench playmaking.
The Wildcards
Keep an eye on RayJ Dennis. He’s been tearing up the G-League (recently dropped 46 points) and just got called up. Also, Asa Newell, the rookie out of Georgia, is starting to get "garbage time" minutes that look increasingly like "rotation time" minutes.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Team
The biggest misconception is that the Hawks are "tanking" now that Trae is gone.
If you watch them play, they’re actually more competitive in many ways. With Trae on the court this season, they were 2-8. Without him? 14-11. That isn't a fluke. It’s because the defense no longer has a massive hole that teams can exploit every single possession.
They’re playing faster (2nd in the league in pace) and they’re sharing the ball more. The "helio-centric" offense is dead. In its place is a movement-heavy system that Quin Snyder has been trying to implement since he got here.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're tracking this team for the rest of the 2026 season, look for these three things:
- The Jalen Johnson Triple-Double Watch: He is currently one of the few players in the league who could realistically average a triple-double for a month-long stretch. Watch how Snyder uses him as a "screener" who then becomes the playmaker.
- Trade Deadline Fireworks: The Hawks have a lot of "movable" contracts now. With the February deadline approaching, don't be surprised if they flip some of their veteran depth for more future picks. They are clearly building around the 20-24 age bracket.
- Dyson Daniels' Shooting: If Dyson can even get to 33% from deep, he becomes an All-Star caliber player because his defense is already there. Watch his confidence on open corner threes; it’s the barometer for the Hawks' ceiling.
The roster is young, it’s fast, and it’s finally fun to watch again. It might not result in a deep playoff run this year, but for the first time in a long time, the Hawks have a direction that makes sense.
Next Steps for Following the Hawks:
- Monitor the injury report for Kristaps Porziņģis; his presence determines if they stay in the Play-In race.
- Watch the development of Zaccharie Risacher’s off-ball movement, as it’s becoming the secondary engine of the offense.
- Track the trade market for veteran guards, as the Hawks may look to clear more cap space before the February 1st deadline.