Atlanta might just have the best three-point shooting team in the league, a statement that would’ve been considered ridiculous just a season ago.
All of their offseason acquisitions, with the exception of N'Faly Dante, are above-average three point shooters. Two of these players, Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kennard, are the best shooters in the league at their respective positions.
Atlanta now has Trae Young, one of the NBA's most dynamic shooting threats, flanked by these lethal shooters with only one true non-shooter. With these additions, the Hawks will feature one of the best (and most exciting) offenses across the NBA.
Can anyone outshoot the Hawks?
The newly acquired Porzingis is among the league's best shooters. He shot the second-highest clip on deep threes (25+ feet) of high-volume shooters from deep (4+ attempts per game) last season, trailing just Zach Lavine. He also had the third-highest three point percentage at the center position and shot the second-most threes per game of any five, trailing just Victor Wembanyama.
What makes Porzingis particularly dangerous is his lightning-quick release, forcing opposing centers to guard the perimeter closely. The spacing that he provides for the rest of the team is critical, and his tenure with the Boston Celtics proved how his presence can elevate his teammates' performances.
Kennard is perhaps the best catch-and-shoot threat in the NBA today. Kennard is somewhat of a throwback player, playing a brand of basketball reminiscent of Hawks' fan-favorite Kyle Korver while also having the offensive versatility required in the modern NBA. Over the past five seasons, Kennard has averaged over 45% from deep, consistently performing on multiple teams and within numerous offensive systems.
Of course, you cannot talk about the Hawks' offense without talking about Young. His elite combination of ball handling and shooting ability makes him a threat from anywhere past half court. He demands the full attention of defenses, firing from beyond the arc at will and creating open looks for his shooters on the perimeter.
While Young had a statistical down year from deep last season, this shouldn’t discourage Hawks fans. Young has been one of the best shooters in the league when considering his difficult shot selection. With the best supporting cast of his career, expect Young to bounce back in a significant way.
We haven’t even talked about what Zaccharie Risacher, Caleb, Houston, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker bring as shooters. Risacher shot 41.8% on threes after the All-Star break last season. Alexander-Walker and Houston are both serious upgrades as shooters over their predecessors at the backup wing spots.
The Hawks have transformed their roster in many ways this offseason, but their complete 180 on the three point shooting front is arguably the most important. Not only do the shooters provide offensive value as individuals, but their presence compounds the threat of the players around them.