Atlanta Hawks NBA Profile: Five things you need to know

• Longest active playoff drought in the Eastern Conference
• Trae Young emerging as franchise cornerstone
• Historic 60-win season in 2014-15 under Mike Budenholzer

The Atlanta Hawks are an NBA franchise with a rich history dating back to 1946, known for their exciting play and Southern identity as Atlanta's team.

Key Details

• Location: Atlanta, Georgia
• Year Founded: 1946 (as Buffalo Bisons)
• Home Arena: State Farm Arena
• Championships: 1 (1958)
• Major Rivals: Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic

Australians who have played for the Atlanta Hawks

Dyson Daniels: Born in Bendigo, Victoria, Daniels was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in July 2024. He is known for his defensive versatility and has set ambitious goals for his tenure with the team.

Adam Keefe: He was selected by the Hawks as the 10th overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft and played with the team for two seasons, from 1992 to 1994. During his tenure with the Hawks, Keefe appeared in 145 games, averaging 5.6 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. In September 1994, he was traded to the Utah Jazz, where he continued his NBA career

David Andersen: Selected by the Atlanta Hawks in the second round of the 2002 NBA Draft (37th overall), Andersen did not play for the Hawks during his NBA career. He was traded to the Houston Rockets in 2009, where he began his NBA playing career.

Identity

The Hawks are defined by their fast-paced, high-flying style of play that has earned them the "Highlight Factory" nickname. As the only NBA team in Georgia, they embrace their identity as Atlanta's team and a representative of the South. The franchise places a strong emphasis on player development and has a history of cultivating All-Star talent.

The team's playing philosophy has evolved over the years but generally favours an up-tempo offense built around dynamic guards and versatile forwards. Defensively, the Hawks aim to be disruptive and generate turnovers to fuel their transition game.

The Hawks cultivate a family-friendly atmosphere and strong community ties in Atlanta. The franchise takes pride in its history while also embracing a forward-thinking, innovative approach both on and off the court.

Legacy & Impact

The Hawks enjoyed their greatest success in the late 1950s and early 1960s after relocating to St. Louis, led by Hall of Famer Bob Pettit. They won their lone NBA championship in 1958.

In Atlanta, the team's most successful era came in the 1980s and early 1990s behind the high-flying "Human Highlight Film" Dominique Wilkins. The Hawks were perennial playoff contenders but unable to break through to the NBA Finals, famously denied by Larry Bird's Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The Hawks had a resurgence in the mid-2010s under coach Mike Budenholzer, winning 60 games in 2014-15 with a balanced team approach. But they have struggled to sustain that success and are currently in a rebuilding phase around young star Trae Young.

Key figures in Hawks history include Bob Pettit, Dominique Wilkins, Pete Maravich, Lou Hudson, and Dikembe Mutombo. Today's cornerstone Trae Young is looking to cement his place among Hawks legends.

Five Fast Facts

1. The franchise has played in five different cities: Buffalo, Tri-Cities, Milwaukee, St. Louis, and Atlanta.
2. Dominique Wilkins is the franchise's all-time leading scorer with 23,292 points.
3. The Hawks set a franchise record with 60 wins in the 2014-15 season.
4. They have retired four numbers: 9 (Bob Pettit), 21 (Dominique Wilkins), 23 (Lou Hudson), and 55 (Dikembe Mutombo).
5. Trae Young became the fastest player in NBA history to reach 500 three-pointers and 2,000 assists.

Club Timeline

1946: Franchise founded as Buffalo Bisons
1951: Team moves to Milwaukee
1955: Relocates to St. Louis
1958: Wins NBA Championship
1968: Moves to Atlanta
1982: Drafts Dominique Wilkins
2015: Wins franchise-record 60 games
2018: Drafts Trae Young
2021: Reaches Eastern Conference Finals

Key Statistics

All-Time Record: 2,851-2,960 (.491 winning percentage)
Championship History: 1 NBA Championship (1958)
Hall of Fame Players: 12
Retired Numbers: 4
Records: Most points in a season — Dominique Wilkins (2,878 in 1985-86)

Today

The Hawks are in a rebuilding phase centred on dynamic point guard Trae Young. After a surprise run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021, the team has struggled to replicate that success. They've made efforts to surround Young with complementary talent, including trading for Dejounte Murray in 2022.

However, the Hawks have underperformed expectations in recent seasons. They finished 36-46 in 2023-24, missing the playoffs entirely. This led to significant changes in the 2024 offseason, including trading Murray to New Orleans and winning the draft lottery to select French prospect Zacharie Risacher with the first overall pick.

Dyson Daniels' trade to the Atlanta Hawks in 2024 marks a new chapter for the young Australian guard, who was initially drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans as the eighth overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. With the Pelicans, Daniels established himself as a versatile defender and playmaker, standing out for his size at 6'8" and his ability to guard multiple positions. His contributions were especially valuable on defense, where his instincts and court vision allowed him to disrupt opponents effectively. By joining Atlanta, Daniels adds depth to the Hawks’ backcourt and brings a fresh defensive dynamic that complements Atlanta's existing offensive core, including All-Star guard Trae Young​.

In Atlanta, Daniels has the opportunity to further develop his playmaking abilities while potentially playing a more prominent role on the offensive end. The Hawks, known for their fast-paced, high-scoring play style, can leverage Daniels’ court vision and unselfish ball movement to enhance team chemistry and scoring efficiency. As a young player with significant growth potential, Daniels fits into the Hawks’ long-term strategy and provides flexibility in their rotations. His arrival also signals the Hawks’ commitment to building a roster that balances offensive firepower with defensive versatility, positioning the team to compete more effectively in the Eastern Conference​

The Hawks are now looking to build around the young core of Trae Young, John Collins, Dyson Daniels and Zacharie Risacher. There's excitement about Risacher's potential, but the team faces questions about how quickly they can return to playoff contention in a competitive Eastern Conference. The front office and coaching staff will be under pressure to maximise the talents of Young and Risacher while developing a supporting cast that can help the Hawks compete at a high level.