The Atlanta Hawks are at a crossroads - and this time, there’s no room for hesitation.
With the trade deadline looming and less than two months to act, Atlanta’s front office, led by rising GM Onsi Saleh, faces a franchise-defining decision. Kristaps Porzingis, brought in to be a key piece, is battling illness and uncertainty.
Trae Young, the face of the franchise, holds a player option that could make him a free agent this offseason. The window to reshape this roster - and its future - is open, but not for long.
The Hawks Have Pieces - But Not the Whole Puzzle
Let’s be clear: the Hawks aren’t a bottom-feeder. They’ve got the bones of a serious team.
There’s talent on the wings, intriguing young defenders, and a star point guard in Young who, on the right night, can take over a game. But they’re not a finished product - not close.
They’ve hovered in that frustrating middle ground: good enough to be competitive, not good enough to be feared. And in the NBA, that’s a dangerous place to live. If you’re not building toward a title, you’re just treading water - and eventually, you drown.
Two Paths, One Deadline
There are two clear roads Atlanta can take. One is the blockbuster route - a full-on shakeup that would send shockwaves through the Eastern Conference.
That means going after Giannis Antetokounmpo. Yes, it would cost them Trae Young and a haul of draft picks.
But you don’t get a two-time MVP for cheap. Giannis would instantly elevate Atlanta into the contender conversation.
He’s dragged less talented rosters deep into the playoffs before. Plug him into a deeper, more versatile Hawks team, and you’ve got something real.
The other path is more measured - but still aggressive. That’s where Anthony Davis comes in.
AD wouldn’t require gutting the roster. A deal centered around Porzingis and Luke Kennard, with a lighter draft package, could get it done.
Davis brings championship experience, elite rim protection, and a two-way presence that could unlock a different version of this Hawks team - one that still features Trae Young as the engine.
In that scenario, a starting lineup of Young, Davis, Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Dyson Daniels suddenly looks a lot more playoff-ready. It’s not just a better team - it’s a team with identity, defense, and balance. That’s what Trae has needed all along.
Don’t Waste the Moment
This is where Saleh earns his stripes. He’s made savvy moves since stepping into the GM role, but this is the big one.
Porzingis is on an expiring deal. Young could walk this summer.
Sitting still isn’t an option - not if Atlanta wants to stay relevant in a loaded East.
The Hawks don’t need to blow it all up to make progress. But they do need to make a move. Whether it’s swinging for the fences with Giannis or retooling smartly around Davis, the time to act is now.
Because if they don’t? They risk becoming another team that had potential, but never quite figured it out.
The clock is ticking in Atlanta. Let’s see if the Hawks are ready to fly - or if they’ll let this opportunity slip through their talons.