Atlanta gets preseason support from LeBron James, Steve Nash

Wednesday night, The Atlanta Hawks will start their 2025-26 NBA season with a home game against the Toronto Raptors. This season is the most anticipated in years for the Hawks after their offseason additions, including trades for Kristaps Porzingis and the signing of Nikhil Alexander-Walker, among other moves.

Most recently, he is a star of the Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James and former league MVP Steve Nash took to their “Mind the Game” podcast and gave it to the Hawks ringing confirmation on the eve of the new season.

“It’s very sneaky, man,” James told Everything Georgia on X, formerly Twitter. “Adding Alexander-Walker from Minnesota, Jaylen Johnson got hurt so now he’s coming back, Porzingis had a great summer … and obviously another year for Treo (Young). Dyson Daniels was up there for Defensive Player of the Year last year … you’ve got Cleveland, you’ve got Orlando, you’ve got Detroit, you’ve got the Knicks…”

“It’s kind of sleepy out there,” Nash added.

An intriguing Hawks team

Atlanta Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh spent this offseason surrounding Trae Young with by far the best supporting cast he’s had in his career, one capable of accentuating his strengths on the offensive end of the floor while covering his defensive limitations.

Porzingis is instantly becoming the most talented big man Young has ever played with, and the Hawks are counting on continued development from Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels (who recently signed an extension with the team) and Zachary Rizacher on the wings.

This, combined with the current injury-riddled state of the Eastern Conference, has some fans thinking the Hawks are a real threat to make a deep playoff run for the first time since their surprise trip to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021.

Of course, the Snakehead is still young, and will need to strike the right balance between maximizing the talent around him while still putting pressure on opposing defenses like the offensive wizard that he can be.

Either way, the Hawks and Raptors are scheduled to tip off on Wednesday at 7:30pm ET.