2025-26 Atlanta Hawks Predictions and Odds to Win NBA Finals

by Spencer Toth - 9/25/2025

The Atlanta Hawks appear poised to break out of mediocrity after a series of crafty summer signings. They have hovered around the .500 mark with a 201-199 record over the last five seasons, and now have the supporting cast around Trae Young for a deep playoff run. Young’s defense has improved, the Hawks are healthy, and a wide-open Eastern Conference has the Atlanta fan base buzzing for the new season. Will the Hawks find themselves in the play-in tournament for a fifth consecutive season, or will this be the year they can take the next step towards becoming an NBA contender?

Atlanta Hawks Offseason Recap

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Trae Young has never had an All-Star teammate in his career, but you can’t blame the Atlanta front office for their lack of effort. The arrival of DeJounte Murray was a flop, and the Hawks have elected to bring in Kristaps Porzingis as the missing piece. Porzingis has proven that he is a two-way threat when healthy, and his versatility in the front court will give the Hawks a new look on offense. The Latvian forward shot a career-high 41.2% from behind the arc last season, but dipped under 20 PPG for the first time since 2017. His offensive capabilities from anywhere on the court will take some of the pressure off Trae Young to score, and there will be countless ways the Hawks can now line up with Porzingis in the fold.

Another impactful offseason signing for the Hawks is Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Alexander-Walker was an excellent rotation player for the Timberwolves last season and is the perfect three-and-D player in the Hawks' rotation. They already have Dyson Daniels for their perimeter defense, and the addition of Alexander-Walker ensures their bench unit will be adequate in that department, too.

The Hawks were certainly successful with their acquisitions, but they were not without their own offseason departures. Clint Capela spent the last five seasons starting in Atlanta, but his limited offensive capabilities were enough for the Hawks to allow him to walk. Caris LeVert was also a key part of the Hawks' rotation, while Terance Mann, Georges Niang, and Larry Nance Jr. were also shipped out to make space for new talent.

Atlanta Hawks Season Expectations

The Atlanta Hawks have found themselves in the play-in tournament in four straight seasons, and their primary goal will be finishing inside the top six in the Eastern Conference. The East lacks the long list of contenders out West, and this is a realistic target for the Hawks. Their further aspirations will come down to the level of play from Trae Young and if a legitimate co-star can emerge in Atlanta. The fact that Young has been able to keep this team out of the lottery positions despite never having an All-Star teammate is nothing short of incredible. Young’s defense was a real concern during the early stages of his career, but he has shored up that area of his game nicely. He is by no means Dyson “The Great Barrier Thief” Daniels on the defensive end, but he is no longer the liability he once was. Young's offensive stats are out of this world, as he led the Hawks in PPG at 24.2, while leading the league in assists with a career-high 11.6 per game. This man is the Atlanta offense, and all the attention he gets increases the high-quality looks for the other Hawks.

Dyson Daniels' defensive work was highlighted with his league-leading 3.0 steals per game, but the Hawks' season expectations hinge on the return of Jalen Johnson. Johnson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury halfway through the year and is expected to be ready for tip-off this year. His ability to play elite basketball at both ends of the court could see him be the co-star Young has been looking for. While he isn’t technically an offseason signing, the Hawks will look very different now that he’s back in the mix.

Atlanta Hawks Schedule Breakdown

The Hawks have a tough start to the new season, with 11 of their first 17 games coming on the road. Their six home games are against the Thunder, Lakers, Magic, Pistons, and Raptors (twice). There will be no easy wins for Atlanta in the early stages, but they will need to stay afloat if they hope to crawl out of the play-in tournament. They have the privilege of spending the holiday season at home before playing seven road games in the first two weeks of January.

Atlanta Hawks Odds

The Atlanta Hawks are expected to have a great season, with a win total of 47.5. They haven’t finished with at least 48 wins since 2016, and it will all come down to how they navigate the opening stretch of their schedule. If they can hover around the .500 mark through the first 20 games, they will put themselves in a great position to climb into the upper tier of the East. They are longshots to need the NBA play-in tournament for the fifth consecutive year at +220, but that is because they have -670 odds to make the postseason with a higher seed. In the NBA Cup, the Hawks find themselves in a tough group with the Cavaliers, Pacers, Raptors, and Wizards. Atlanta and Cleveland are two of the best teams in the East, and they have +190 odds to win the group with +1400 odds to win the NBA Cup. In the playoffs, the Hawks have +1000 odds to win the Eastern Conference, the fourth-lowest price tag. However, their championship odds are much longer at +3000.

2025-26 Atlanta Hawks Season Predictions and Best Bets

There is no denying the fact that the Hawks have the potential to roll out their best team in the last decade. They have the support around Trae Young needed to make a deep playoff run, and the lack of contenders in the East makes their path to glory even easier. In the regular season, taking over 47.5 wins at -110 is a nice play, but I prefer to hunt for longer odds when locking up a portion of the bankroll for several months. Instead, take the Hawks to win 50+ games at +150. The weak Eastern Conference will keep the Hawks competitive on a nightly basis, and they have shown the ability to beat bad teams over the years. In the NBA Cup, the odds are not long enough to warrant a wager on the Hawks since they are with the Cavaliers in East Group A. However, the postseason is a different story. It is hard to emphasize how wide open the East is for a team like the Hawks, and sprinkling on them to reach the NBA Finals as the Eastern Conference representative at +1000 screams value heading into the year. Atlanta has effectively retooled their roster in the offseason, they are getting Jalen Johnson back from injury, and are finally poised to get over the hump with a deep playoff run.

Top Pick: Atlanta Hawks 50+ Regular Season Wins +150

Pick: Atlanta Hawks to Win the Eastern Conference +1000

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Start:	October 7, 2025 @ 11:00 PM
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2025-26 Atlanta Hawks Predictions and Odds to Win NBA Finals

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