> 9\. **Atlanta Hawks**
>
> **Final FPR rating: 61**
> **Three-year outlook:** After whiffing on Zaccharie Risacher with the No. 1 pick in 2024, the Hawks still need to find a top-10 player if they want to contend for a title -- or they need Jalen Johnson to make another leap to reach that rarefied air. But president of basketball operations Onsi Saleh (who notably wasn’t in charge for the Risacher pick) has instilled confidence in his ability to improve his roster. Atlanta hasn’t hit any home runs with recent trades, but it has patched together a strong streak of singles and doubles. _\-- Kram_
>
> **Roster question looming:** The Hawks have done a good job balancing their finances, with no player on the roster earning more than $30 million over the next three seasons. Will that change next summer when Atlanta could have significant cap space? Veterans CJ McCollum, Luguentz Dort and Jock Landale are on expiring contracts. _\-- Marks_
>
> **FPR nugget to know:** The Hawks’ projected starting lineup of Johnson, McCollum, Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Onyeka Okongwu was the second best across the league, outscoring opponents by about 19 points per 100 possessions. There is season-to-season consistency in that lineup and in the coaching staff, which can help this team be more than the sum of its parts. _\-- Oliver_
>
> **Bold prediction for 2027-29:** The reimagined Hawks will win more games over the next three seasons than they did during the best stretch of Trae Young’s Atlanta tenure. From 2020 to 2023, the Hawks went 125-111 -- an average of 43 wins across an 82-game schedule. After trading Young to the Wizards in January, Atlanta finished with a 28-15 record, which is equivalent to a 54-win pace. _\-- Golliver_
>
> _**[Previous ranking](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/46271632/nba-future-power-rankings-three-year-outlook-thunder-lakers-warriors-knicks-spurs-30-teams): 12**_