The stat that could swing every NBA team's 2026-27 season

Analysts are zeroing in on a single metric that often separates playoff teams from the rest: net rating. The Hawks sit at a +2.4 net rating, a figure that aligns with their 46–36 record and #6 seed in the Eastern Conference. As the league’s power rankings place Atlanta at #13, the correlation between that modest positive differential and their standing underscores how even a small swing in net rating can shift a team’s fortunes.

Atlanta’s recent roster adjustments—waiving center William Baker and guards Devin Carter and Lamont Butler—are part of a broader effort to fine‑tune the lineup ahead of the offseason. Those moves, combined with the grades assigned to free‑agency signings and extensions, will likely influence the Hawks’ net rating as they aim to improve their power‑rank position. Upcoming owners’ meetings could also introduce rule changes or financial guidelines that affect how teams manage roster depth and statistical efficiency, making the net rating a stat to watch throughout the 2026‑27 campaign.