Could the Hawks Actually Trade Their Star Player? Shocking Plans for the Season Revealed!

Welcome to NBA trade season. As of today, 82 players who signed contracts during the summer become eligible to be traded, kicking off a flurry of trade discussions that will intensify as the February 5th deadline approaches. Among the most talked-about names this season are Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, and Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis. While these stars will dominate conversations, there are numerous other significant players to keep an eye on.

The Atlanta Hawks emerge as a particularly intriguing team during this trade season. After a big offseason, which included signing Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard, trading for Kristaps Porzingis, and drafting Asa Newell, they also acquired the New Orleans Pelicans' first-round pick for next year's draft. This pick has quickly become one of the most valuable assets in the NBA. The combination of expiring contracts for Porzingis and Kennard along with this draft pick positions the Hawks to potentially make big moves. But the question remains: should they?

What Should Atlanta Do?

A critical consideration for the Hawks involves their star point guard, Trae Young, who may opt out of his contract after this season to become a free agent. Young has been sidelined for much of the current season due to injury, leaving fans and analysts alike wondering how the team would perform with him fully healthy. In his absence, Jalen Johnson has emerged as a standout player for Atlanta, raising questions about the future of Young with the franchise.

According to Zach Harper at The Athletic, the Hawks should consider being buyers in the trade market and actively pursue another star player. Harper notes, "The Hawks have been better this season without Trae Young. Jalen Johnson has emerged as their best player in his absence, and his dynamic play makes you wonder just how high he can ascend." With Young expected to be a free agent this summer and no indication of a contract extension on the horizon, speculation has begun about whether he could be on the move. The 2026 unprotected first-round pick from New Orleans is seen as the best trade asset in the NBA, further complicating the Hawks' decision-making process.

The Hawks have struggled against top teams, notably going 0-3 against the Pistons, the current leaders in the Eastern Conference. Their issues in size and physicality have been evident, which puts the focus on whether Atlanta needs to acquire a player like Antetokounmpo or Davis. While trading for such stars is not obligatory, if Porzingis remains unavailable, Atlanta should explore its options.

Currently, the Eastern Conference appears wide open, with the Pistons and Knicks slightly separating themselves from the pack. The Hawks should avoid a fire sale and instead capitalize on this competitive landscape. Analysts believe that Atlanta should pursue beneficial deals without sacrificing their future, particularly their prized draft pick and the young talent of Jalen Johnson.

As Marc Stein and Jake Fischer indicate, any substantial trade involving the Hawks is likely to include Porzingis's $30.7 million expiring contract. However, his recent health struggles, specifically a bout with illness that has kept him sidelined for multiple games, complicate Atlanta's situation. Further adding to the intrigue, power agent Rich Paul has suggested that if the Bucks are pursuing a trade for Giannis, they should target Johnson, who hails from Milwaukee.

As the trade deadline approaches, expect the Hawks to be mentioned in numerous trade discussions. The potential for moving Porzingis and/or Kennard is real, but the franchise is also in a position to improve while safeguarding its future. Atlanta's strategy moving forward will be crucial, as they navigate a season filled with uncertainty regarding both player health and potential trades.