The 2025-26 season is approaching, and teams are distilled into one defining number that maps their ceiling and risk. Atlanta sits at the center of optimism: Dyson Daniels emerges as a potential breakout playmaker, and Jalen Johnson could push toward all-NBA territory if his health cooperates. That duo could unlock a top-tier ceiling in a conference that feels winnable with the right strides.

Boston faces a jarring disruption: Jayson Tatum out with an Achilles injury and a wholesale reshuffling of the frontcourt that leaves Neemias Queta, Luka Garza, Chris Boucher, and Xavier Tillman to carry heft in the middle. The rotation shift challenges fantasy managers to gauge who benefits most from an expanded role and steadier minutes without their star. Brooklyn leans into youth, balancing rookie-heavy lineups with Cam Thomas’ looming usage; Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball carries a 35.9% usage pace, but durability and efficiency loom as critical question marks.

Across the league, threads of opportunity thread through injuries and turnover. Golden State can still win with Curry, but the post-deadline surge around Butler–Curry minutes matters for fantasy leverage. Houston’s isolation prowess appears solved with Durant orchestrating late-game offense, opening nights for shooters and off-ball threats. Oklahoma City’s continuity and depth fuel expectations for a repeat run. The 2025-26 canvas favors players who can soak up expanded roles, handle heavy usage, and sustain efficiency through training camp.

The Hawks reshaped around Trae Young this offseason, pairing him with Kristaps Porzingis and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to boost scoring, size, and guard depth. Young now has more options and better floor spacing, but Atlanta is taking a cautious route on a long-term extension, per Bobby Marks, arguing the roster’s newness demands a clearer fit before committing.

Analysts see a potential top-four finish in the East if the cohesion translates, aided by the development of Zaccharie Risacher, Jalen Johnson, and Dyson Daniels. The extension debate hangs over the team. ESPN's Marks notes that the Hawks are not rushing a long-term commitment to Young, arguing that roster newness calls for a clearer sense of fit before a deal is inked. Atlanta could be cautious because Young's long-term value depends on how the new lineup complements him, and because the four-year, $228 million extension could echo across free agency waves next summer, with many teams capable of signing him if the Hawks hesitate. The organizational test is immediate: can Porzingis and Alexander-Walker co-create high-volume, efficient offense with Young driving plays, while Risacher, Johnson, and Daniels grow into reliable two-way wings? This season will reveal whether Atlanta's flexibility pays off and whether the championship window remains open in a league built on versatile, star-driven lineups.

The Atlanta Hawks have shown promise this season, even though they missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year. Key young players, notably Dyson Daniels, have emerged, with Daniels earning the Most Improved Award for his standout defensive skills. Zaccharie Risacher's continued development adds to the optimism surrounding the team's future.

This offseason is pivotal as the Hawks aim to enhance their roster. The franchise is actively seeking a president of basketball operations to collaborate with new general manager Onsi Saleh. Recent reports indicate the Hawks have made significant hires, bringing in Bryson Graham from the New Orleans Pelicans as Senior VP of Basketball Operations and Peter Dinwiddie from the Philadelphia 76ers as Senior VP of Strategy and Analytics.

Graham's ascent from intern to GM at the Pelicans has equipped him with valuable experience, contributing to successful player drafts, including Daniels himself. Dinwiddie's tenure with the 76ers and previous years with the Indiana Pacers are expected to bring strategic depth to the Hawks' front office.

Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers has claimed the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year for the 2022-23 season, highlighting his impact on the league's All-Defensive Team. Averaging 1.6 blocks per game, Mobley's versatility as a big man shone through in a season that saw the Cavaliers win 64 games. He received an overwhelming majority with 99 of 100 first-team votes. Joining him on the first team are Dyson Daniels, Luguentz Dort, Draymond Green, and Amen Thompson. Green, a five-time selection, continues to showcase his defensive prowess with 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. First-time selections include Daniels, who led the NBA with 3 steals per game and Dort, noted for his perimeter defense. The second team features notable players like Rudy Gobert and Jaren Jackson Jr., further emphasizing the depth of defensive talent in the league.