The Atlanta Hawks could be in line for a major jump this season, according to a panel of NBA analysts. That's a great thing for this franchise. Atlanta received 14 points in ESPN's ranking of the surprise teams most likely to make a major leap, putting the Hawks sixth on the list.
While they didn't come close to the 46 points earned by the Indiana Pacers and Utah Jazz, the projection still puts Atlanta among the teams analysts believe could take a real step forward. That's good company for the Hawks, who were grouped with several teams expected to make a turnaround. The Washington Wizards received 20 points, while the Dallas Mavericks and Philadelphia 76ers each finished with 15.
The Hawks' 14 points suggest there's some real belief that Atlanta could look considerably different soon. More sports: Pistons Hit With Troubling 2026 Projection, But There’s Hope Rather than being viewed as a team simply hoping to improve around the edges, the Hawks are being identified as one of the NBA's possible surprise teams. That's a nice distinction heading into the new season.
Atlanta wasn't picked to make the biggest leap on ESPN's list, but it didn't need that hype. The Hawks are just one point behind the Mavericks and 76ers, putting them right in the mix among the teams analysts expect to shake things up. Sports news: Wizards and AJ Dybantsa Could Have a Breakout Year There's obviously no guarantee that the projection becomes reality.
NBA seasons have a way of making preseason expectations look very different once the games begin. Still, the Hawks have now been singled out by ESPN's panel as a team capable of making a dramatic leap. For Atlanta, that's a promising bit of recognition heading into their next phase.
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