Last Updated on May 24, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
The Atlanta Hawks have produced several elite playmakers throughout franchise history, from traditional point guards to versatile offensive creators capable of controlling the flow of a game. Great passing has often been central to Atlanta’s best teams, whether during the Dominique Wilkins era, the balanced 2010s Hawks teams, or the modern Trae Young era.
This list ranks the best Atlanta Hawks passers ever based on assist production, court vision, playmaking impact, offensive orchestration, and overall legacy with the franchise.
Trae Young
Position: Point Guard
Years with Hawks: 2018–Present
Why He’s One of the Best Hawks Passers Ever
Trae Young has rapidly become one of the greatest playmakers in franchise history. His deep shooting range forces defenses far beyond the three-point line, creating massive passing lanes and opportunities for teammates.
Young excels in pick-and-roll situations, throwing accurate lob passes, skip passes, and pocket feeds at an elite level. He has consistently ranked among the NBA leaders in assists while carrying one of the league’s highest offensive workloads. His passing was instrumental in Atlanta’s run to the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals.
Achievements
- Multiple NBA All-Star selections
- NBA assists leader
- Led Hawks to Eastern Conference Finals appearance
- Among franchise leaders in career assists
Doc Rivers
Position: Point Guard
Years with Hawks: 1983–1991
Why He’s One of the Best Hawks Passers Ever
Doc Rivers was one of the NBA’s top floor generals during the 1980s and helped organize Atlanta’s offense during many successful seasons alongside Dominique Wilkins.
Rivers brought strong leadership, excellent court awareness, and reliable ball distribution. He averaged double-digit assists during his peak Hawks years and helped Atlanta become one of the Eastern Conference’s more competitive teams.
Achievements
- NBA All-Star
- Averaged over 10 assists per game in a season
- Key playmaker during Hawks playoff appearances
Mookie Blaylock
Position: Point Guard
Years with Hawks: 1992–1999
Why He’s One of the Best Hawks Passers Ever
Mookie Blaylock combined elite defense with high-level playmaking. While many remember him for steals and perimeter defense, he was also one of Atlanta’s most effective offensive organizers during the 1990s.
Blaylock thrived in transition offense and consistently created opportunities for teammates through penetration and smart decision-making. He remains one of the franchise’s all-time assist leaders.
Achievements
- Multiple NBA All-Defensive Team selections
- One of Atlanta’s all-time assist leaders
- Multiple playoff appearances with Hawks
Jeff Teague
Position: Point Guard
Years with Hawks: 2009–2016, 2020
Why He’s One of the Best Hawks Passers Ever
Jeff Teague emerged as a highly effective playmaker during Atlanta’s successful mid-2010s era under coach Mike Budenholzer.
Teague’s quickness and ability to penetrate defenses created open looks for shooters and big men alike. He was central to the Hawks’ ball-movement-heavy offense that helped produce a 60-win season in 2014–15.
Achievements
- NBA All-Star
- Starting point guard on 60-win Hawks team
- Strong assist producer during playoff seasons
Joe Johnson
Position: Guard/Forward
Years with Hawks: 2005–2012
Why He’s One of the Best Hawks Passers Ever
Joe Johnson is remembered primarily as a scorer, but his passing and offensive creation were also major parts of his game.
Johnson frequently acted as a secondary playmaker, using his size and composure to create quality scoring chances for teammates. His versatility helped Atlanta return to playoff relevance during the late 2000s.
Achievements
- Multiple NBA All-Star selections
- Primary offensive leader during playoff resurgence
- Effective half-court facilitator
Spud Webb
Position: Point Guard
Years with Hawks: 1985–1991
Why He’s One of the Best Hawks Passers Ever
Spud Webb brought speed, creativity, and energy to Atlanta’s offense during the late 1980s.
Despite his smaller stature, Webb possessed impressive court vision and playmaking instincts. He consistently generated offense for teammates while also providing scoring punch off the bench and as a starter.
Achievements
- NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion
- Strong assist numbers throughout Hawks tenure
- Important contributor on playoff teams
Al Horford
Position: Center/Forward
Years with Hawks: 2007–2016
Why He’s One of the Best Hawks Passers Ever
Al Horford was one of the NBA’s best passing big men during his prime years in Atlanta.
Horford excelled in dribble handoff actions, high-post facilitation, and quick ball movement. His passing intelligence helped define the Hawks’ team-oriented offense during one of the most successful stretches in franchise history.
Achievements
- Multiple NBA All-Star selections
- Key piece of multiple 50-win teams
- Elite passing big man
Dominique Wilkins
Position: Forward
Years with Hawks: 1982–1994
Why He’s One of the Best Hawks Passers Ever
Dominique Wilkins is widely recognized for his scoring and athleticism, but he also became a capable passer as defenses increasingly focused on stopping him.
Wilkins created offense through defensive attention and regularly found teammates after drawing double teams. His all-around offensive game made him one of the greatest players in franchise history.
Achievements
- Hall of Famer
- Multiple NBA All-Star selections
- One of the greatest Hawks players ever
Steve Smith
Position: Guard/Forward
Years with Hawks: 1994–1999
Why He’s One of the Best Hawks Passers Ever
Steve Smith combined scoring, shooting, and playmaking during his years with Atlanta.
His ability to operate both on and off the ball made him a valuable secondary creator, and he consistently helped facilitate offense for competitive Hawks teams in the late 1990s.
Achievements
- NBA All-Star
- Strong perimeter facilitator
- Key offensive contributor during playoff runs
Honorable Mentions
Other notable Atlanta Hawks passers include:
- Jamal Crawford
- Mike Bibby
- Dennis Schröder
- Larry Drew
- Kevin Willis
Final Thoughts
The Atlanta Hawks have showcased elite passers across multiple generations, from Doc Rivers and Mookie Blaylock controlling offenses in earlier eras to Trae Young redefining modern playmaking with his creativity and assist production.
While different eras demanded different styles of passing, each player on this list helped shape Atlanta’s offensive identity and remains an important part of Hawks history.