This summer, the Atlanta Hawks have been underestimated.

After reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2021 playoffs, the Hawks seem to have been stuck in a limbo, always in a position that isn’t quite rising or falling. The trade for Murray ultimately ended in disappointment, and star player Trae Young has been constantly surrounded by rumors of leaving. To change the current situation, the Hawks decided to make adjustments at the management level.

Following the end of last season, the Hawks announced the firing of General Manager Landry Fields, with Onnie Salih stepping into the role as the new GM while also serving as President of Basketball Operations. Before joining the Hawks, Salih had held positions in the management teams of the Spurs and Warriors.

Salih quickly assembled his own management team, hiring former Pelicans GM Graham as Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations and bringing in 76ers executive Dinwiddie as Senior Vice President of Strategic Analysis. This management team accomplished impressive work over the summer.

First, they made a move in the trade market, acquiring Kristaps Porziņģis from the Celtics in exchange for George Niang, Terance Mann, and the 22nd overall pick. Although Porziņģis’s health and availability have been concerning, the Hawks clearly came out ahead in this deal.

With the departure of Capela, the Hawks managed to bring in Porziņģis without altering the team's core, significantly enhancing their roster depth. The starting lineup now features Trae Young, Daniels, Rishash, Jalen Johnson, and Porziņģis, providing a strong balance of offense and defense with a high offensive ceiling.

Then, in the free agency market, the Hawks executed a sign-and-trade for Alexander-Walker, securing him for four years at $62 million. They completed this deal by using a trade exception, a second-round pick, and cash, resulting in a relatively low cost.

Walker is likely to become the primary scoring option off the bench for the Hawks. The four-year, $62 million price tag is quite reasonable; I previously predicted he might receive a salary between $18 million and $20 million, and the Timberwolves indeed struggled to keep him.

In Atlanta, Walker will have a larger platform to showcase his talents. He has already proven his worth during this year’s playoffs. At just 27 years old, he is in the prime of his career. Early in his time with the Pelicans, he struggled significantly, but after joining the Timberwolves, he made great strides in discipline and has now established himself as a top-tier 3-and-D player in the league.

Signing Kennard for one year at $11 million using the mid-level exception further strengthens the bench's scoring. It’s hard to say whether Kennard’s actual value matches the $11 million salary, but the contract’s one-year term offers a lot of flexibility.

Once Kennard finds his rhythm, he has consistently been an elite shooter in the league. Last season, he achieved an impressive effective field goal percentage of 69% on catch-and-shoot attempts, ranking second in the league. Such a shooter is certainly capable of handling the intensity of the regular season.

The Hawks have effectively strengthened their roster with Porziņģis, Alexander-Walker, and Kennard without altering their existing rotation, which is why it can be said that this might be the best depth Trae Young has ever encountered. Reports indicate that Trae Young is currently very engaged and excited about this team. He believes this squad is very close to the one that reached the Eastern Conference Finals a few years ago, and he is thrilled about it.

Additionally, during the draft, the Hawks made what I consider to be the best steal of the year. They traded the 13th overall pick for an unprotected first-round pick in 2026 (either from the Pelicans or Bucks, likely in a higher position) and the 23rd overall pick.

The unprotected first-round pick next year is likely to come from the Pelicans, who remain relatively weak in the West this year, making this pick potentially a top ten or even higher. They also selected the highly regarded rookie "Antelope Prince" Asa Newell with the 23rd pick, providing solid frontcourt depth.

Newell is not only impressive in appearance but also shows promise on the court. In the Summer League, he averaged 13.5 points and 8.3 rebounds, with a shooting percentage of 51.3% and a three-point shooting percentage of 42.9%. His three-point shooting is a pleasant surprise; if he can develop a reliable three-point shot as a spacing four, he has a bright future ahead.

With the decline of the Celtics and Pacers, the competition landscape in the East next season is very open, and anyone has a chance to break through. The Hawks, who have missed the playoffs for two consecutive seasons, also want to stir the waters a bit.