ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – In a year where the NBA’s Eastern Conference is wide open, the Atlanta Hawks are ready to balance the patience necessary for a young roster and the urgency necessary to win now.
“We can be patient and still be urgent,” said Quin Snyder, Atlanta’s head coach. “You have a new group who happens to be the third-youngest team in the league. Reconciling that with wanting to be really good today, I think you can be both.”
On paper, this Hawks squad is much improved from a year ago. The addition of Luke Kennard in free agency and Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Kristaps Porzingis in trades will make Atlanta a legitimate threat in the East. But the games played on the hardwood and the Hawks are preaching cautious optimism from the top down as a one of the youngest teams in the NBA.
“You look too far ahead, you trip. Look too far back, you walk into something. It’s just about what’s in front of us,” Alexander-Walker said.
Alexander-Walker was a perimeter defensive asset with the Minnesota Timberwolves and will likely play a similar role in Atlanta. He looks set to pair well with Dyson Daniels.
Porzingis brings versatility that Atlanta has not had on both sides of the ball. He and the Hawks expect to be good, but maybe not right away.
“It’s just one day at a time. Of course we want to have the highest goals here but it’s going to be a big process,” Porzingis said.
The prospect of Trae Young entering free agency looms next summer. He can be an unrestricted free agent if he does not pick up his player option in 2026. A solid year could be imperative to the Hawks keeping their superstar.
Young deflected when asked about his decision, saying he’s prepared to play at a high level now.
“I got a great team going into the season, one that you can’t really say I’ve had. I’m even more excited about that,” Young said. “Right now, I’m here and I’m present.”
Training camp begins Tuesday for Atlanta and the Hawks will get a test run soon. They face the Rockets in preseason action on Oct. 6 in Houston.
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