The Eastern Conference is there for the taking.
And don't look now, but the Atlanta Hawks have a chance to do the taking.
The Hawks made a number of offseason additions and are, for now, knock on wood, healthy.
But the key to the season in Atlanta may end up being one player: Jalen Johnson.
Can Johnson take the next leap after missing the end of last season with injury?
"A huge factor for Atlanta this season is Jalen Johnson, who looked good in his first two preseason games back from left shoulder surgery that ended his 2024-25 season; Johnson made 7 of 11 shots and had 20 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in 25 minutes against Memphis," writes ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk. "Coach Quin Snyder said Johnson's improvement on defense will be the next step for the young forward. If he can stay healthy and continue to grow as a playmaker to help (Trae) Young and (Kristaps) Porzingis, the Hawks could really take off this season."
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Johnson and Young will have more help than they've had in the past.
Porzingis is the biggest name added to the roster for this season, and his unique skillset adds a whole new dimension on the floor for the Hawks.
Atlanta also brought in Nickeil Alexander-Walker, a talented defender and athlete on the wing, and Luke Kennard, the lefty guard who still knows how to fill it up.
Johnson has the talent to be the Hawks' second-best player. If he lives up to that, and if the new additions around him do their jobs, Atlanta can be dangerous.
The Hawks will have to stay healthy, of course, given that part of the reason the East is wide open is injuries elsewhere. If they do, Johnson and the Hawks could have a long, fun season.
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