Atlanta Hawks Roster: Who’s Playing in Atlanta This Season?
If you live in Atlanta, visit often, or are planning a trip to State Farm Arena, knowing the current Atlanta Hawks roster helps you follow the team, buy the right jerseys, and understand what you’re watching on the court.
Because NBA rosters change frequently through trades, signings, and injuries, think of this as a guide to understanding the Hawks roster structure, how to keep up with changes, and what to expect as a fan in Atlanta—not a frozen, once‑and‑for‑all list.
How the Atlanta Hawks Roster Is Built
The Atlanta Hawks, like every NBA team, build their roster around three main groups:
- Starters – the core five players who open most games
- Key rotation players – first off the bench, big minutes
- Depth pieces and development players – bench, two-way, and young talent
At any given time, the Hawks can have up to:
- 15 standard contracts (main roster)
- 2–3 two-way contracts (split time between the Hawks and the G League’s College Park Skyhawks)
For anyone living in or visiting Atlanta, understanding these categories helps you know who you’re most likely to see on the floor in crunch time versus players developing for the future.
Typical Atlanta Hawks Roster Breakdown
While the exact names can change during the season, the Hawks generally structure the roster around these roles:
1. Primary Ball-Handlers and Playmakers
These are usually the point guards and combo guards who:
- Bring the ball up the court
- Initiate the offense
- Run pick‑and‑rolls
- Create shots for teammates
For Hawks fans in Atlanta, these are often the most recognizable faces—players who dominate the ball, hit deep threes, and control tempo. When you go to State Farm Arena, these are usually the players introduced last during starting lineups.
2. Wings and Perimeter Scorers
Atlanta typically leans on versatile wings who:
- Space the floor with shooting
- Defend multiple positions
- Slash to the basket
- Guard the opponent’s best scorer
From an Atlanta perspective, wings have become a big focus as the Hawks try to match up with elite offenses across the Eastern Conference. These are the players you’ll see guarding top stars when big teams come to town.
3. Big Men: Centers and Power Forwards
The frontcourt usually includes:
- Rim protectors
- Rebounders
- Lob finishers
- Screen‑setters
In State Farm Arena, you’ll see these players anchoring the defense, cleaning the glass, and finishing pick‑and‑rolls at the rim. Atlanta has often built around at least one skilled big who can both score inside and defend the paint.
Example: How the Hawks Lineup Might Look on a Game Night
The exact starting five can change depending on injuries, matchups, and coaching decisions, but you’ll usually see a mix like:
| Role on Team | What They Do on the Court |
|---|---|
| Lead Guard / Star Guard | Handles the ball, runs offense, scores and assists |
| Secondary Guard / Combo G | Shoots, drives, defends opposing guards |
| Starting Wing | 3‑and‑D role, cuts, runs in transition |
| Starting Forward | Rebounds, defends larger players, hits open shots |
| Starting Center | Protects rim, sets screens, finishes inside |
| 6th Man / Bench Scorer | Instant offense off the bench |
| Defensive Specialist | Checks hard assignments, full‑court pressure |
| Stretch Big / Reserve Big | Spacing, rebounding, backup center/forward minutes |
| Development/Two-Way Players | Spot minutes, late‑game, or blowout opportunities |
When you attend a Hawks game in Atlanta, the public address announcer and in‑arena graphics will usually identify the starting lineup and occasionally highlight key bench players, so you can match names with numbers quickly.
How to Check the Current Atlanta Hawks Roster (From Atlanta)
Because rosters can shift several times a season, if you’re in Atlanta and want the most current Hawks roster, you have a few reliable paths:
1. Team and League Official Channels
From anywhere in the city—Midtown, Buckhead, the West End, or the suburbs—you can:
- Check the official team roster page on the Atlanta Hawks’ official online presence
- Look at the NBA’s official roster listings, which usually update quickly after trades and signings
- Use widely known sports apps that list NBA rosters and depth charts
These options are especially useful on game day if you’re headed downtown and want to know who’s active before you get to State Farm Arena.
2. In‑Arena Info at State Farm Arena
If you’re already in downtown Atlanta at a game:
- The scoreboard and ribbon boards around the arena show:
- Player names
- Jersey numbers
- Points, rebounds, assists
- Pregame and halftime features often highlight:
- Key players
- New signings
- Injury updates
You’ll find State Farm Arena at:
State Farm Arena
1 State Farm Drive
Atlanta, GA 30303
If you’re walking from Five Points or GWCC/CNN Center MARTA stations, plan to arrive early if you want to catch full warmups and starting lineup introductions.
Roster Spots: Starters, Bench, and Two-Ways Explained
For many Atlanta fans, the terms used to describe roster roles can be confusing. Here’s how they work in practice.
Starters
Starters are the five players who open the game:
- Usually the most consistent, impactful players
- Get the bulk of minutes
- Often include the team’s top scorers and main ball‑handler
In Atlanta, starters tend to be the players you see on billboards, in team promotions, and on most of the jerseys in the crowd.
Rotation Players
These are the trusted bench players who:
- Check in by the end of the first quarter
- Often close games alongside the starters
- Provide shooting, defense, or energy
If you attend a game in Atlanta, you’ll quickly recognize them as the first few players off the bench after a timeout or dead ball.
Deep Bench and Development Players
These players:
- May not play every night
- Get minutes in blowouts or when injuries occur
- Focus on long‑term development, practice, and G League assignments
They matter to the future of the Hawks, and local fans in Atlanta who follow the College Park Skyhawks will often keep close tabs on them.
Two-Way Contract Players
Two-way players split time between:
- The Atlanta Hawks
- The College Park Skyhawks (the Hawks’ G League affiliate)
They can practice with the Hawks, sit on the bench, and appear in a limited number of NBA games, while still developing with significant minutes in College Park.
The Skyhawks typically play at:
Gateway Center Arena @ College Park
2330 Convention Center Concourse
College Park, GA 30337
If you’re in Atlanta and interested in seeing future Hawks up close, Skyhawks games can be a more affordable, intimate way to watch these two-way and developing players.
How Trades and Free Agency Affect the Hawks Roster in Atlanta
If you’re a local fan, it’s useful to understand why the roster you see today in Atlanta might look very different next season.
Trades
The Hawks can trade players:
- During the regular season up until the NBA trade deadline
- In the offseason, often around the NBA Draft and free agency period
From an Atlanta perspective, this means:
- A player you just bought a jersey for could be moved midseason
- New players may arrive and debut at State Farm Arena on very short notice
- Local sports talk (radio, TV, and online) often buzzes about possible trades involving Hawks stars or rotation players
Free Agency
Every summer, free agents (players without a contract) can:
- Sign new deals with Atlanta
- Leave the Hawks for another city
- Re‑sign to stay with the team
For Atlanta residents, big free‑agency signings can reshape:
- Who you see as the face of the franchise
- The style of play (more shooting, more defense, faster pace, etc.)
- The excitement level and demand for tickets at State Farm Arena
Draft and Young Players
The NBA Draft adds new young talent to the Hawks roster:
- First‑round picks often get guaranteed spots and expectations to contribute
- Second‑rounders and undrafted players may sign two-way deals or fight for bench roles
If you’re in Atlanta and follow the team closely, you’ll often hear about these players through:
- Summer League coverage
- Local interviews
- Preseason games played at State Farm Arena
What Atlanta Fans Should Know Before Going to a Game
If you’re planning to watch the Hawks roster in person in Atlanta, a few practical tips help you get the most out of it.
1. Check Who’s Active That Night
NBA teams submit injury and availability reports before each game. For Atlanta fans, this means:
- A big star might sit out for rest or minor injury
- A bench player may get a surprise start
- Rotations can change, especially in back‑to‑back games
It’s worth checking same‑day updates if you’re deciding whether to head downtown or watch from home.
2. Learn Jersey Numbers Before You Go
To follow the roster easily in person:
- Look up the main rotation players and their jersey numbers
- Screenshot or write them down before you leave
- Use the in‑arena boards to match stats to players
This helps casual fans and visitors quickly get into the flow of the game.
3. Understand Position Roles
Even without memorizing every name, knowing positions helps you follow:
- Guards – usually handling the ball and taking perimeter shots
- Wings – versatile scorers and defenders on the perimeter
- Bigs – setting screens, rebounding, and defending the paint
Once you know this, the Hawks’ roster makes more sense as you watch from your seat in Atlanta.
Where the Hawks Fit Into Atlanta’s Sports Scene
For people living in or visiting Atlanta, the Hawks roster is part of a larger sports picture that includes:
- Atlanta Falcons (NFL, football)
- Atlanta Braves (MLB, baseball)
- Atlanta United FC (MLS, soccer)
Hawks players often appear at local events, charity functions, and youth basketball initiatives around Metro Atlanta. Paying attention to the roster helps you spot:
- Which players are becoming local fan favorites
- Who’s active in the community
- Which jerseys you’re most likely to see walking around downtown, in Buckhead, or near Georgia Tech
How to Stay Updated on the Hawks Roster in Atlanta
Because this roster changes over time, the most accurate day‑to‑day details will always come from official and current sources. From within Atlanta, you can:
- Check official Hawks and NBA outlets for:
- Current roster list
- Depth chart
- Injury updates
- Follow well‑known local sports coverage that focuses on:
- Trade rumors involving Atlanta
- Contract extensions and free agency news
- Player development, especially of younger Hawks and two-way players
Whether you’re a longtime Atlanta resident, a college student in the city, or a visitor catching a game while you’re in town, understanding the Atlanta Hawks roster structure, roles, and movement will make every trip to State Farm Arena more enjoyable and easier to follow.