The Atlanta Hawks closed the second half of the 2025-2026 season on a strong 20-6 run after the All-Star break, a stretch that secured their first playoff berth since 2023 and kept them out of the play-in tournament for the first time since 2021. That surge turned the Hawks into one of the Eastern Conference’s surprise stories, and the offseason now hinges on whether the roster that delivered that stretch can be retained.

Key contributors to that run , CJ McCollum, Jock Landale, Jonathan Kuminga and Mouhamed Gueye , were all approaching free-agency decisions. Atlanta chose to re-sign McCollum, Landale and Gueye, preserving the core that helped the team climb the standings. The club declined Kuminga’s option, leaving him with unrestricted status while still indicating a willingness to bring him back should circumstances change.

In addition to the re-signings, the Hawks made two modest trades. They acquired wing Aaron Wiggins from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for a pair of second-round picks. A second deal brought guard Devin Carter and an additional second-round pick from the Sacramento Kings. Neither transaction produced headline-grabbing talent, but both players offer depth on the wing and fit the team’s existing style of play.

The roster moves reflect a clear strategy: keep the nucleus that powered the 20-6 post-All-Star run, add low-cost pieces, and avoid the kind of blockbuster deals that have reshaped other Eastern clubs. By locking in McCollum’s scoring, Landale’s interior presence, and Gueye’s versatility, Atlanta maintains the chemistry that propelled them into the playoffs. The added wings of Wiggins and Carter provide rotation flexibility without disrupting the core.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Conference has continued to strengthen, with teams such as the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks adding depth through free agency. In that context, the Hawks’ modest upgrades may appear modest, but they align with a franchise philosophy that favors incremental improvement over high-profile acquisitions. If the team can translate its late-season form into consistent performance throughout the regular season, it stands a realistic chance of repeating its surprise run and challenging the newly fortified powerhouses in the first round of the playoffs.