The Atlanta Hawks got the NBA trade deadline season off to a blazing start by sending Trae Young to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night. The bigger question is what does the trade mean for the Hawks in the future? More urgently, how does the trade affect the Hawks’ decision-making over the next month?
How Does Trading Trae Young Affect The Hawks’ Upcoming Decisions At Trade Deadline And Offseason?
Young has served as the face of the Hawks franchise for the last 7 years. However, the Hawks were just 221-272 in games Young played, and they made three postseason appearances. Conversely, the Hawks were 46-48 in games that he sat out.
Atlanta is 18-21 on the season and sits tied for ninth place in the Eastern Conference with Chicago. The Hawks have lost 13 of their last 18. While Young was not having a good offensive season, per his standards, the 27-year-old was still third on the team in scoring and second in assists. The Hawks were just 2-8 in games Young played this season. They were outscored by nearly 4 points per game when he was on the court.
Moreover, Atlanta was 16-13 in games without Young this year. Overall, the Hawks had 0.0 plus-minus when Young sat. In actuality, the Hawks were better on both ends without Young, particularly on the defensive end.
What Does The Trade Of Trae Young Mean For Hawks?
Now, without Young, Jalen Johnson becomes the new franchise player. Johnson built on his breakout season in 2023-24 last season but was limited to just 36 games. The 24-year-old has been terrific this year, averaging a double-double and posting career-highs across the board.
Dyson Daniels, who has rebounded from a slow start, and 25-year-old Onyeka Okongwu also figure to be part of the Hawks’ core in the future. Nickeil Walker-Alexander, who has surpassed expectations and is in the midst of a career season, and 2024 No. 1 overall pick Zachharie Risacher also appear to be a significant part of the team’s future. However, Risacher likely would be available in a blockbuster trade.
According to ESPN’s trade machine, the Hawks’ trade with Washington for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert is a wash, as it doesn’t affect either squad’s winning percentage. While McCollum and Kispert aren’t franchise changers, the duo could help the Hawks reach the playoffs.
As part of the trade, the Hawks also reduced their cap by about $1.35 million. The Hawks will have a year to use the $1.35 million trade exception.
What Does CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert Bring To the Hawks?
McCollum is an elite shooter with steady handles. The 34-year-old, who has 11 games of 30 points or more this season, averages 18.8 points and 3.6 assists with shooting splits of 45.4/39.3/80.4 in 35 games.
McCollum, who is questionable for Friday’s game against Denver with a quadricep injury, is likely to come off the bench for the Hawks. Daniels and Risacher have started all season long, while Alexander-Walker has been with the first unit in 30 of 37 contests. He figures to see at least 25 minutes a game as the first guard off the bench.
Kispert is an elite shooter who will provide depth for the Hawks. The Hawks have one of the worst benches in the league. While Kristaps Porzingis has provided the Hawks’ reserves an offensive jolt lately, Vit Krejci is the only proper reserve to average double-figures. The Hawks’ second unit’s biggest issue is on defense.
Kispert can play the 2-through-4 and figures. He projects to be part of the Hawks’ second unit, with his biggest contribution being 3-point shooting. The Hawks are very thin on the wing and in the frontcourt.
Kispert, who has appeared in just two games since late November, averages 9.2 points and 1.6 threes on 49.6% shooting from the field and 39.5% from the 3-point line. The 26-year-old is currently dealing with a hamstring issue and is questionable for the game against the Nuggets.
What Else Could The Hawks Do Before The Trade Deadline?
With the addition of McCollum and Kispert, Atlanta has 15 players on standard contracts and is $6.8 million below the tax line. The Hawks do have flexibility, as N’Faly Dante’s salary isn’t fully guaranteed until tomorrow. Dante is out for the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery to repair his torn ACL.
While Dante is a candidate to be waived, the 24-year-old is expected to be kept on the books at least through the trade deadline, according to The Athletic’s John Hollinger.
“Atlanta has no benefit from waving the injured N’Faly Dante, despite his non-guaranteed deal, due to the little-known scourge called “salary continuation payments,” Hollinger said. “He’ll almost certainly stay on the books through the trade deadline in case his $2.3 million salary is needed in a trade.”
Hawks and Anthony Davis Rumors
While McCollum and Kispert bolster the Hawks’ depth this year, they really need to add another frontcourt player. While trading for Anthony Davis is unlikely to be a viable option, they do need rebounding and shot-blocking help, even if Porzingis can stay healthy for the remainder of the season.
“Sources also indicate to DallasHoopsJournal.com that it appears unlikely for Atlanta to succeed in a midseason trade for Anthony Davis at this stage, “Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com said yesterday. “Barring a shift in willingness to include more value in a trade package, Atlanta is not believed to be an imminent trade possibility. League sources describe the Hawks’ current posture as measured in terms of the possibility of acquiring 32-year-old Davis, who is eligible for a contract extension in August. Atlanta has two key assets that the front office lacks interest in parting with, including recent No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher and the 2026 first-round pick swap that could land the New Orleans Pelicans’ selection.”
McCollum, Porzingis, and Luke Kennard are on expiring contracts and are most likely to be used by the Hawks as trade chips. In addition to Dante, Krejić, Asa Newell, and Nikola Djurisic are also possible trade candidates.
I don’t see the Hawks being able to move Porzingis, and McCollum’s salary can’t be aggregated this season. So, Kennard is the most likely of the three players to be traded.
What About 2026 Offseason?
The Hawks have five first-round picks from 2026 to 2032, with the lone exception being in 2027, as that pick belongs to San Antonio. But the Hawks are constrained in trading their 2026 and 2028 picks due to complex pick swaps. They have two trade exceptions that expire on February 6: Bogdan Bogdanovic ($13.1 million) and Cody Zeller ($3.5 million).
Atlanta does currently have an open two-way spot after waiving Malik Williams on Wednesday.
Unless the Hawks make another trade, Atlanta projects to have $40 million in cap space this offseason with 11 players currently under contract. Porzingis and Kennard are unlikely to return unless they take a significant pay cut.
However, McCollum may be on the roster next year. His return figures to be tied to how the Hawks and he perform the remainder of the season.
“Sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com there is internal interest in extension concepts for C.J. McCollum with the Atlanta Hawks, centered on a potential one-year deal for an estimated $20 million,” Afseth reported. “Such a concept is viewed internally as a short-term bridge that preserves cap flexibility while allowing Atlanta to remain competitive.”
Potential Offseason Needs
If McCollum and the Hawks do agree to a deal at the stated amount, that will increase their cap hit for 2026-27 to $146.3 million with 12 players. That would leave the Hawks about $64 million below the first apron. So, they would have plenty of room to add a top-notch center, whether in a trade or free agency, and either a quality reserve wing or power forward.
Atlanta will have a first-round pick this summer, though the position is up in the air. They will also likely have three trade exceptions to use in a trade. In addition to the exception created in the Young trade, the Hawks project to have $6.7 million in acquired value from the Clint Capela deal and $4.5 million from the Kobe Bufkin trade.
Isaiah Hartenstein and DeAndre Ayton are the top-2 potential free agent centers this offseason, though it is possible players won’t be available. Hartenstein has a club option for next season, and Ayton has a player option. Zach Collins, Mark Williams, Jalen Duren, and Andre Drummond are other potential top options.
In terms of power forwards, Porzingis and Tobias Harris could be the Hawks’ best options on the free agent market. Although Harrison Barnes, John Collins, and Rui Hachimura are also solid alternatives, depending on price.
If McCullum isn’t on the roster next season, Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White would be great alternatives. Both players are slated to be unrestricted free agents, though they project to have numerous suitors. Anfernee Simons, Cam Thomas, and Kevin Huerter could also fit.
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