The NBA is a weird place. One day you’re a Play-In staple, and the next, you’ve basically set your entire house on fire to see what happens. That’s exactly how the Atlanta Hawks roster 2024 felt heading into the season. Honestly, if you told a Hawks fan in May that they’d land the No. 1 pick, trade Dejounte Murray, and lean heavily into an Australian defensive menace, they’d probably ask what you were drinking.
But here we are.
The 2024-25 campaign hasn't been some smooth, linear progression. It’s been a chaotic mix of "Trae Young doing Trae Young things" and a massive pivot toward size and defense. For a long time, the Hawks were small. Like, "getting bullied in the paint" small. This roster was built to change that, even if the record—hovering around 40-42—doesn't scream "championship contender" just yet.
The Trae Young Dilemma and the New Core
It’s still Trae’s team. Let’s get that out of the way. He’s averaging roughly 24.2 points and a league-leading 11.6 assists per game. He’s the engine. But the engine has new parts now.
The biggest shift was moving Dejounte Murray to New Orleans. That experiment just didn't work. It was like trying to fit two steering wheels on one car. By moving him, the Hawks cleared the runway for Dyson Daniels, who has been a revelation. People called him a "throw-in" or a "prospect" in that trade.
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Wrong.
Daniels—nicknamed "The Great Barrier Thief"—put up historic numbers, averaging over 3.0 steals per game. He basically became the defensive identity this team hasn't had since the 90s. He’s the youngest player ever to hit 200+ steals in a season. That’s not a fluke; that’s a foundational shift.
The Rise of Jalen Johnson
If Trae is the engine and Dyson is the brakes, Jalen Johnson is the high-octane fuel. Honestly, he might be the most important player on the Atlanta Hawks roster 2024.
When he’s on the floor, the Hawks look like a modern NBA team. He’s a 6'8" freight train who can grab a rebound and run the break himself. Last season, he put up roughly 18.9 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. The scary part? He’s also dishing out 5 assists. He’s basically become a "point-forward" who allows Quin Snyder to run some truly creative, positionless lineups.
The downside? Health. Johnson has missed chunks of time, and when he's out, the Hawks' offense often reverts to "Trae, please save us."
Why Zaccharie Risacher Isn't Your Average No. 1 Pick
People were underwhelmed when the Hawks took Zaccharie Risacher first overall. "He’s a role player," they said. "He doesn't have a superstar ceiling."
Maybe.
But watch him play for ten minutes and you’ll see why Landry Fields wanted him. He’s 6'9", he moves like a guard, and he actually tries on defense. He finished the season averaging about 12.6 points and earned an All-Rookie First Team nod. His shooting was streaky early on—kinda typical for a teenager from France—but he shot over 40% from deep after the All-Star break. He’s the connective tissue. He doesn't need the ball to be effective, which is exactly what you need when you're playing next to Trae Young.
The Revolving Door at Center
The center position has been a bit of a soap opera. For years, it was the Clint Capela show. Capela is still a beast on the boards—averaging around 8.5 rebounds—but the age is showing. He’s not the rim protector he was three years ago.
Enter Onyeka Okongwu.
Fans have been screaming for "OO" to start for years. This season, they finally got their wish for stretches. Okongwu brings a different energy. He’s more mobile, he can actually hit a mid-range jumper now (and even some threes), and he averaged 13.4 points and 8.9 rebounds.
But wait, there's more. The Hawks went out and got Kristaps Porziņģis in a wild three-way deal. Talk about a curveball. When he’s healthy—which, let’s be real, is the big "if"—he changes everything. A 7'2" guy who can shoot from the logo? It spaces the floor in a way Capela never could. But the injuries are real. He’s dealt with Achilles and knee issues, forcing guys like Larry Nance Jr. and even rookie Asa Newell into bigger roles than expected.
Bench Depth: The "Garry Bird" and New Friends
The bench has some familiar faces and some "wait, who is that?" additions.
- Garrison Mathews: Still hitting ridiculous contested threes. He’s the "Garry Bird."
- Bogdan Bogdanović: He was actually moved before the deadline, which hurt the heart of the fanbase. His veteran presence is missed.
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker: A huge free-agent pickup. He’s a "3-and-D" guy who actually plays both.
- Luke Kennard: Pure gravity. You can't leave him open, which gives Trae more room to breathe.
- Vit Krejci: The 6'8" point guard who everyone forgot about. He’s become a legitimate rotation piece because he can pass over defenses.
The Reality of the 2024-25 Season
Look, the Hawks finished 8th in the East. They didn't set the world on fire. But the Atlanta Hawks roster 2024 actually makes sense for the first time in a while. They aren't just a collection of talent; they have a blueprint.
Quin Snyder is trying to build a team that can survive when Trae Young sits. With guys like Dyson Daniels winning Most Improved Player and All-Defensive honors, the identity is shifting from "all-offense" to "versatile and annoying."
They still struggle with consistency. They’ll beat the Celtics on a Tuesday and lose to the Wizards on a Friday. It’s frustrating. It’s "Hawks basketball." But the young core of Johnson, Risacher, and Daniels is actually something to be excited about.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're tracking this team, keep your eyes on three specific things:
- The Steal-to-Foul Ratio: Watch Dyson Daniels. If he stays above a 1.30 ratio, he's effectively a one-man fast break.
- Corner Three Percentage: Risacher and Jalen Johnson need to hit these. If they do, Trae Young’s assist numbers will stay in the double digits effortlessly.
- Rotation Health: This roster is deep but fragile. If Porziņģis or Johnson miss more than 20 games, the Hawks are a Play-In team at best. If they stay healthy? They can scare anyone in a seven-game series.
The Hawks aren't "rebuilding," but they aren't "finished" either. They’re in that weird middle ground where one more big move—or one more leap from Jalen Johnson—could actually change the hierarchy of the Eastern Conference.
Stop looking at the record and start looking at the defensive rating. That’s where the real story of this roster is hidden.
Next Steps for Following the Hawks: Monitor the injury reports for Jalen Johnson and Kristaps Porziņģis specifically before any major Eastern Conference matchups, as their availability shifts the Hawks' defensive ceiling more than any other factor. Additionally, keep an eye on the G-League development of Nikola Đurišić; his playmaking could be the "hidden" solution to the backup point guard minutes by the time the playoffs roll around.