Category: Atlanta Hawks Blog

Atlanta Hawks blog

Some of the best players in Atlanta Hawks history

The Atlanta Hawks are one of the NBA’s oldest franchises, with roots tracing back to the Tri-Cities Blackhawks in 1946. Over the decades, the team has seen numerous ups and downs, but throughout it all, a core group of standout players has helped define the franchise. Here’s a look at some of greatest players ever to wear a Hawks jersey.

1. Dominique Wilkins
Known as “The Human Highlight Film,” Dominique Wilkins is the most iconic player in Hawks history. A nine-time All-Star and one of the most prolific scorers of the 1980s and early ’90s, Wilkins brought both flash and firepower to Atlanta. His high-flying dunks and fearless offensive play made him a fan favorite and solidified his place in the Basketball Hall of Fame.

2. Bob Pettit
Before the team moved to Atlanta, Bob Pettit was the star of the St. Louis Hawks. He remains one of the most dominant power forwards in league history. Pettit was a two-time MVP and led the Hawks to their only NBA championship in 1958. His combination of skill, toughness, and leadership set the foundation for the franchise’s early success.

3. Al Horford
The cornerstone of the Hawks during their resurgence in the late 2000s and early 2010s, Al Horford brought consistent excellence on both ends of the court. A five-time All-Star (four with Atlanta), Horford was known for his versatility, basketball IQ, and professionalism. He was a key figure in the Hawks’ 60-win season in 2014–15.

4. Joe Johnson
“ISO Joe” was the offensive engine for the Hawks during much of the 2000s. A seven-time All-Star (six with Atlanta), Johnson had one of the smoothest scoring arsenals in the league. He led the team to six straight playoff appearances and gave Atlanta its first taste of consistent postseason basketball in years.

5. Dikembe Mutombo
Though his time in Atlanta was relatively short, Dikembe Mutombo made a major impact. The four-time Defensive Player of the Year (two with the Hawks) was a dominant force in the paint. His shot-blocking and rebounding anchored Atlanta’s defense during the late ’90s, and his finger-wagging celebrations became legendary.

6. Lou Hudson
A silky-smooth scorer from the 1960s and ’70s, “Sweet Lou” Hudson was a six-time All-Star with the Hawks. Known for his polished midrange game and clutch shooting, Hudson averaged over 20 points per game for most of his Atlanta career. He remains one of the most underrated scorers in franchise history.

7. Cliff Hagan
Another St. Louis-era star, Cliff Hagan paired with Bob Pettit to form a lethal inside-outside combination. A five-time All-Star and a Hall of Famer, Hagan was instrumental in the Hawks’ success during the 1950s and early ’60s. His versatility and competitiveness left a lasting impression on the franchise.

8. Mookie Blaylock
An elite defender and capable scorer, Mookie Blaylock was the heartbeat of the Hawks in the 1990s. He led the league in steals twice and was named to the All-Defensive Team six times. Blaylock also holds the franchise record for most three-pointers made, showing his value on both ends of the floor.

9. Josh Smith
A polarizing figure but undeniably talented, Josh Smith was a high-flying forward who spent nine seasons with the Hawks. Known for his shot-blocking and athletic dunks, Smith could impact the game in many ways—even if his shot selection sometimes drew criticism. At his best, he was a true two-way force.

10. Trae Young
Still early in his career, Trae Young has already made a huge impact. A two-time All-Star and one of the league’s premier offensive playmakers, Young led Atlanta to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021. With his deep shooting, flashy passing, and fearless attitude, he’s quickly becoming the face of the franchise’s future.

Hawks re-sign Keaton Wallace to two-way contract

The Atlanta Hawks have re-signed guard Keaton Wallace to a two-way contract.

Wallace appeared in 31 games (five starts) for the Hawks during the 2024-25 season, averaging 5.4 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 16.2 minutes of play. In his five starts, he recorded 13.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 8.4 assists and 2.2 steals in 34.6 minutes.

The 6-3 guard registered a triple-double of 15 points, 15 assists and 11 rebounds, in addition to swiping five steals, in 37 minutes against the Orlando Magic on April 13. He became the first player in franchise history to finish a game with 15+ points, 15+ assists, 10+ rebounds and 5+ steals and one of only two players to do so in the NBA during the 2024-25 season (Josh Giddey).

In 20 games (19 starts) for the College Park Skyhawks during the 2024-25 season, Wallace registered 16.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.8 steals in 32.6 minutes (.449 FG%, .385 3FG%, .680 FT%). Originally signed by the Hawks to a two-way contact on July 15, 2024, Wallace appeared in four games in four days for the Hawks and Skyhawks this past season, logging over 86 total minutes over those four outings and traveling over 2,200 total miles: Dec. 27 (College Park at Osceola), Dec. 28 (Atlanta vs. Miami), Dec. 29 (Atlanta at Toronto), Dec. 30 (College Park vs. Windy City).

Dyson Daniels wins 2024-25 NBA Most Improved Player award

Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels is the recipient of the George Mikan Trophy as the 2024-25 NBA Most Improved Player.

Presented annually since the 1985-86 season, the Kia NBA Most Improved Player Award is designed to honor an up-and-coming player who has made a dramatic improvement from the previous season or seasons. Daniels is the second player to earn the honor with the Hawks, joining Alan Henderson (1997-98).

In his third NBA season and first with Atlanta, Daniels averaged career highs of 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 3.01 steals while shooting career highs of 49.3% from the field and 34.0% from three-point range in 33.8 minutes in 76 games. He became the fifth player to average at least 14.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.0 steals in a season, joining Michael Ray Richardson (1979-80), Magic Johnson (1980-81), Alvin Robertson (three times – 1985-86, 1986-87 and 1988-89) and Michael Jordan (1987-88).

Daniels improved his scoring by +8.3 ppg, rebounds by +2.0 rpg, assists by +1.7 apg and steals by +1.62 spg from last season. He is the third player to have improvements of at least +8.0 ppg, +2.0 rpg, +1.5 apg and +1.5 spg from one season to the next (minimum 50 games played each season), joining Richardson (1978-79 to 1979-80) and Eric Murdock (1991-92 to 1992-93).

Hawks guard Trae Young wins 2024-25 Sekou Smith Award

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young as the recipient of the 2024-25 Sekou Smith Award, which annually honors the player on the team’s roster who best represents themselves and the franchise with professionalism and integrity in their interactions with the media.

Young was selected via vote from a select local media panel. He will be recognized today during a pregame presentation, which will include members of Smith’s family.

“There were again multiple exemplary candidates this season, and Trae is a very deserving recipient,” said Hawks Vice President of Basketball Communications Jon Steinberg. “He understands the power of his words, and embraces his responsibility to accommodate the media that covers the Hawks and the NBA. Trae makes himself available after big wins and tough losses, home and road, and routinely following practices and shootarounds.”

Hawks sign Dominick Barlow to multi-year contract

The Atlanta Hawks recently signed forward Dominick Barlow to a multi-year contract.

Signed to a two-way contract by the Hawks on July 30, 2024, Barlow has seen action in 19 games (three starts) this season, averaging 3.1 points and 1.6 rebounds in 8.1 minutes. He owns two double-digit scoring outings this season (Jan. 23 vs. Toronto, Feb. 1 at Indiana) and recorded a career-high tying three blocks on Feb. 5 against the San Antonio Spurs.

The 6-10 forward appeared in 18 games (all starts) with the College Park Skyhawks of the NBA G League this season, averaging 20.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.3 blocks in 32.5 minutes (.574 FG%, .729 FT%). In his Skyhawks debut on Nov. 8, Barlow posted 23 points, eight rebounds, one assist and five blocks. His five rejections marked the most by a Skyhawk in his College Park debut.

Undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft, Barlow has seen action in 81 career games (four starts) across three NBA seasons with San Antonio (2022-24) and Atlanta (2024-25), averaging 3.9 points and 3.0 rebounds in 12.1 minutes (.508 FG%). He also owns three seasons of NBA G League experience with the Austin Spurs (2022-24) and College Park (2024-25), averaging 17.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.3 blocks and 30.0 minutes in 71 games (61 starts).

Prior to the NBA, Barlow spent the 2021-22 season playing in the Overtime Elite League with Team Overtime, averaging 14.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks in 25.2 minutes. With his NBA debut on Nov. 2, 2022, against the Toronto Raptors, he became the first player from Overtime Elite to participate in an NBA game.

Hawks sign Kevon Harris to 10-day contract

The Atlanta Hawks yesterday signed guard Kevon Harris to a 10-day contract.

Harris has appeared in 35 games (all starts) with the College Park Skyhawks this season, averaging career highs of 19.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists, in addition to 1.3 steals in 31.0 minutes of action (.458 FG%, .442 3FG%, .800 FT%). He was named the 2025 NBA G League Up Next Game MVP at NBA All-Star Weekend in San Francisco, after scoring 13 points in the championship game.

The 6-6 guard saw action in two games with the Hawks during the 2024 preseason, recording 11.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steal in 17.5 minutes. Harris has appeared in 36 NBA contests across two seasons with the Orlando Magic (2022-24), notching 4.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in 12.9 minutes (.445 FG%, .372 3FG%, .756 FT%).

The Ellenwood, Georgia, native owns NBA G League career averages of 16.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.2 steals and 28.9 minutes in 124 contests (105 starts), suiting up for the Skyhawks (2024-25), Osceola Magic (2023-24), Lakeland Magic (2022-23) and Raptors 905 (2020-22).

Harris played in 127 career games (104 starts) during four collegiate seasons at Stephen F. Austin (2016-20), averaging 14.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.1 steals in 28.0 minutes (.483 FG%, .397 3FG%, .727 FT%). In his final season, he was named the 2019-20 Southland Conference Player of the Year.

Injury update on Hawks forwards Vit Krejci and Larry Nance Jr.

Forward Vit Krejci left Monday night’s game due to a lower back contusion. Further evaluation and imaging at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex confirmed a non-displaced lumbar fracture. He will be re-evaluated in three to four weeks and an update will be provided at that time.

Forward Larry Nance Jr. left Monday night’s game at Orlando with a right knee injury. Further evaluation and imaging at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex revealed a non-displaced fracture of his right medial femoral condyle. He will be re-evaluated in approximately six weeks and an update will be provided at that time.

Hawks trade Bogdan Bogdanovic to Clippers

The LA Clippers yesterday acquired Bogdan Bogdanović and three second-round draft picks in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks for Terance Mann and Bones Hyland, it was announced by Lawrence Frank, President of Basketball Operations.

“Bogdan is a smart, competitive guard who brings shooting, passing and a high basketball IQ,” said Frank. “He has proven, both in the NBA and international play, that he is a terrific connector and a big shot maker.”

Bogdanović, 32, has played in 24 games for the Hawks this season, averaging 10.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 24.9 minutes. The 6-foot-5 guard has appeared in 473 games across eight NBA seasons with Sacramento and the Hawks, averaging 14.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 28.6 minutes. Originally selected with the 27th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Bogdanović was named to the 2017-18 All-Rookie Second Team. A native of Belgrade, Serbia, Bogdanović has been a member of the Serbian National Team since 2013, winning silver medals at the 2016 Olympics, 2014 and 2023 FIBA World Cup and 2017 FIBA EuroBasket, as well as a bronze medal at the 2024 Olympics.

“I can’t say enough good things about what T Mann has accomplished over the past six years, and what he’s meant to our organization,” said Frank. “We drafted him in 2019 and he became everything we hoped: a selfless, dependable pro who excels on both ends of the court and does whatever it takes to win. Everybody remembers the 39 points he scored against Utah to clinch our first conference finals berth. We’ll also remember his day-to-day consistency and competitiveness. He set a standard for our young players and left an imprint on our team that will live on. We are grateful to him and to Bones, an electric scorer who had some great moments here. Bones wants to play regularly and we’re hoping he gets the opportunity.”

Mann, 28, appeared in 37 games for the Clippers this season, averaging 6.0 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 19.8 minutes. The 6-foot-5 guard has played in 382 games across six NBA seasons since being selected by the Clippers with the 48th overall pick in ‘19. He averaged 8.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting 49.8% from the field. Mann also appeared in the sixth-most playoff games in franchise history (43), averaging 6.0 points while shooting 50% from the field and 43.8% from beyond the arc.

Hyland, 24, appeared in 20 games for the Clippers this season, averaging 7.2 points, 1.4 assists and 1.2 rebounds in 11.1 minutes. The 6-foot-2 guard has played in 182 games across four NBA seasons with Denver and the Clippers, averaging 9.7 points, 2.7 assists and 2.2 rebounds in 17.3 minutes. Originally selected with the 26th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Hyland was named to the 2021-22 All-Rookie Second Team.