The Atlanta Hawks enter the 2026 NBA Draft with a clear organizational need despite a successful 46-36 season and a return to the playoffs.
According to Marc Stein, Atlanta is expected to prioritize adding another guard, with league sources indicating the team wants a downhill ball-handler who can grow alongside emerging star Jalen Johnson.
“The Hawks certainly could stand to benefit from selecting a guard,” Stein reported on June 16. While Atlanta remains optimistic about re-signing veteran CJ McCollum after his strong postseason, the franchise is reportedly seeking a longer-term solution in the backcourt.
The logic is easy to understand. McCollum, who turns 35 before the start of next season, was productive after arriving in Atlanta. He averaged 18.7 points and 4.1 assists in 41 regular-season games while shooting 45.6% from the field. His impact continued in the playoffs, where he posted 19.2 points per game across six contests against the New York Knicks.
Yet Atlanta’s offensive future increasingly revolves around Johnson. The 24-year-old forward delivered a breakout campaign, averaging 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists while earning All-NBA Third Team honors. Johnson functioned as the Hawks’ primary offensive engine, but the roster lacked another consistent creator capable of collapsing defenses and generating rim pressure.
That makes Atlanta’s position at No. 8 especially intriguing in what is widely viewed as a guard-heavy draft class.
Several prospects fit the profile Stein described. Houston freshman Kingston Flemings could be one of the most natural matches. The explosive lead guard averaged 16.1 points and 5.2 assists while shooting 38.7% from three-point range. Scouts view his ability to attack downhill as one of the strongest elements of his game, and his defensive upside would complement Atlanta’s existing core.
Arkansas standout Darius Acuff Jr. may not be available when Atlanta selects, but he represents the type of offensive initiator teams covet. Acuff averaged 23.5 points and 6.4 assists while winning SEC Player of the Year. His shot creation ability is considered among the best in the class.
Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr. is another potential target if he slides. The 6-foot-5 guard showcased elite scoring upside, highlighted by a 45-point performance that included 10 made three-pointers. His combination of size and offensive versatility could give Atlanta a long-term backcourt centerpiece.
Illinois guard Keaton Wagler may also attract interest. At 6-foot-6, he offers positional size, advanced playmaking instincts and efficient perimeter shooting after converting 39.7% of his three-point attempts. His ability to operate in pick-and-roll situations could fit well next to Johnson, who averaged nearly eight assists per game as a forward.
Atlanta already possesses a strong defensive foundation in Dyson Daniels, who earned All-Defensive Second Team recognition after averaging 2.0 steals per game, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who finished second in the league’s Most Improved Player voting after averaging 20.8 points. Adding another creator would further balance the roster.
The Hawks finished sixth in the Eastern Conference and pushed eventual NBA champion New York to six games in the first round. With picks No. 8 and No. 23 in the first round, Atlanta has multiple opportunities to strengthen its roster, but all indications suggest the front office views backcourt creation as its top priority heading into draft night.
