Atlanta Hawks 2026: Defensive Depth and the Post-All-Star Leap

11.0 points per 100 possessions. That is the net rating improvement the Atlanta Hawks produced after the All-Star break last season. They were 19th before the break and fourth after it, the biggest post-break jump in 27 years. The Hawks finished 46-36 and sixth in the East. They took a 2-1 lead over the Knicks in the first round before losing the next three games, while New York went on to win the championship. Then Atlanta traded Trae Young, acquired CJ McCollum, and went 27-14 with him in the lineup to jump from ninth to sixth. Now Quin Snyder has a deep, defense-first roster. McCollum, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu stabilised the starting unit last season with a 20-10 record and a plus-20.3 net rating. Luguentz Dort and Aaron Wiggins add perimeter toughness and championship experience. Buddy Hield, Corey Kispert, Zuby Ejiofor, Ryan Nembhard, Henri Veesaar and rookie Kingston Flemings give Snyder options. The number to know is 11.0. After the All-Star break, Atlanta's net rating improved from minus-1.3 to plus-9.7. But 12 of their 20 wins came against sub-.500 teams. They also won two playoff games against the Knicks, more than New York's other three playoff opponents combined. Aaron Wiggins is the breakout candidate: career 48.7 percent from the field and 38 percent from three, yet he never played more than 24.2 minutes per game in Oklahoma City. With more opportunity, he can fix Atlanta's efficiency problem. Contrarian view: depth is a strength, but too many options can blur team identity. Snyder must decide roles early. The Hawks need to start strong in October, not wait for another post-All-Star surge. Key dates include Oct. 21 vs. Orlando, Nov. 29 vs. New York, Feb. 1 vs. Washington with Trae Young's return, Feb. 8 at Miami, and April 4 at Philadelphia. The forward-looking thought: Atlanta has the deepest roster in the Southeast Division. The next step is proving it against winning teams when the schedule tightens.