While the Hawks might not challenge for the NBA Championship, they’re building things the right way with a solid foundation, and they’ll have several key pieces battling for awards at the end of the season.
Zaccharie Risacher, Rookie of the Year
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The top pick in the 2024 NBA Draft isn’t the odds-on favorite, like many Hawks up for awards this season, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t in the conversation.
Right now, depending on the outlet, Risacher has the third or fourth-best odds to win Rookie of the Year, with Jared McCain as the odds-on favorite. Risacher is averaging 11.6 points per game on 46.9% true shooting. He’ll have to become more efficient to make up ground, but he’s been playing much better as of late.
Dyson Daniels, Defensive Player of the Year
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Somehow, Daniels isn’t even close to the odds-on favorite Victor Wembanyama, despite leading the NBA in steals and deflections. The offseason acquisition is averaging more than three steals and one block per game while completely resurrecting the Hawks’ defense.
Jalen Johnson, Most Improved Player of the Year
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Jalen Johnson is much closer to the odds-on favorite in his respective race, sitting right behind Jalen Williams. Johnson is averaging career-bests across the board in points (19.8), assists (5.5), rebounds (9.9), blocks (1.1), and steals (1.3). He’s on a very short list of players averaging those figures and deserves national praise for his efforts, including MIP votes.
De’Andre Hunter, Sixth Man of the Year
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De’Andre Hunter is right behind the Celtics’ Payton Pritchard in terms of odds for the Sixth Man of the Year award. The former Hawks lottery pick has found his niche coming off the bench. In 14 total games, Hunter is averaging personal bests in points (19.3) and three-pointers made (2.6), all while playing excellent defense on the other end of the court.
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This doesn’t even consider that Jalen Johnson could potentially make his first All-Star game, and Trae Young could capture the assists title and another All-Star bid. The Hawks finally have a product worth getting excited about, and at the end of the season, several players could be taking home hardware.
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Photographer: Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire