INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - OCTOBER 10: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles against Luguentz Dort #0 of the Atlanta Hawks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on October 10, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) | Getty Images Wesley Morton Sun, October 18, 2026 at 12:30 PM UTC · 4 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the first of a series of roundtable questions I'm asking the staff here at Peachtree Hoops about the Hawks this upcoming season. The first question: which newly acquired player will have the biggest impact for the Hawks this season?
Wes: I think Luguentz Dort will bring a level of toughness, defensive versatility, and an ability to play his role on offense that the team desperately needed. Now that the reins are in the hands of Jalen Johnson to run the show, Dort will fit in as a corner three-point shooter who has tons of experience operating around a star player.
But clearly, defensively is where he'll make his name. He's a bigger body than even all-world defender Dyson Daniels, so he, Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker can share the load of taking on the other team's best perimeter player depending on the night.
Malik: I'll have to agree and say and say Lu Dort. I think he was the biggest addition to the team this offseason, and it's because of what he brings to the defensive side of the ball. He's going to make life easier for Dyson Daniels, and he could guard almost every position on the floor. The Hawks' defense was good last season, but it's going to be even better with Dort in the fold.
It's also hard not to mention the championship experience he'll bring to the team. That will go a long way for a team that's looking to be contenders.
Garrett: Luguentz Dort. To me, he was Onsi Saleh's biggest addition this offseason. The Knicks exposed Atlanta's struggles with physicality in the playoffs, and Dort directly addresses that issue. He's one of the league's best defenders, embraces tough assignments and knows what it takes to win in the postseason. That combination is a major plus for a Hawks team looking to take the next step.
Graham : I really like the deal to acquire Aaron Wiggins, I think he'll have more of a positive impact than expected, but it's hard to overlook just what Lu Dort is going to bring. It's not just what Dort brings – which I'll discuss in a moment – but the commitment the Hawks have made stylistically, and philosophically.
Dort's shooting struggles in the postseason are well documented, as are those of Dyson Daniels. It's going to be difficult to have both of those players out in crunch-time, but on the defensive end of the ball the Hawks have made a clear commitment to a defensive mentality. Now, Dort can be included into 'chaos' lineups which can involve Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Daniels, Dort, Johnson, and Okongwu – every single one of those players can hold their own defensively and excel (Johnson is more than capable of this when he applies himself to do so).
The Hawks may have an offensive ceiling with Daniels and Dort on the floor, but they have the defense to still bring a net rating in those scenarios. If Dort and Daniels can improve their three-point shooting and sustain it in the postseason, then the ceiling is removed for this squad. With Dort, the Hawks can have at least two plus defensive wings on at all times. The versatility he provides to what the Hawks can now run out on the court lineup-wise is a big step forward.
Dort himself will bring a toughness, a mentality that the Hawks will thrive off of, and championship experience to learn from. Everything Dort brings will only help Atlanta grow on and off the court as they try to take the next step; Dort is the perfect acquisition for the Hawks' next phase of their journey. The message is clear: it's defense first.
Source: Sports
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