The Atlanta Hawks may have spent the offseason making bigger, louder moves, but the one that could matter most might be the one that barely registered at first.
Atlanta’s first trade of the summer came from lead decision-maker Onsi Saleh, who sent two future second-round picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Aaron Wiggins just days before the 2026 NBA Draft. It was a cheap price for a player who was a regular part of an NBA champion’s rotation, and the kind of move that can look even smarter once the season gets rolling.
Wiggins did not get nearly the same attention as the Dort-Risacher deal, but the fit is obvious. He gives the Hawks a true Swiss Army knife - someone who can start if needed, slide into the second unit to open the season, and handle multiple positions without issue. That versatility is exactly what makes him useful.
In Oklahoma City, Wiggins built his reputation as a relentless defender and a strong transition threat, and that profile lines up neatly with what Atlanta has been trying to assemble over the last several years. If the Hawks end up losing Jonathan Kuminga in free agency, which is looking more likely by the day, Wiggins could step into that energy role off the bench.
There’s also a familiar connection waiting for him. Wiggins already has established chemistry with Lu Dort, and that could make their two-man game off the bench one of Atlanta’s more interesting advantages.
Every team wants players like Wiggins and Dort, but Wiggins was the hidden gem in the deal. Because he came without much fanfare, Atlanta was able to get him for relatively little. If he brings the same impact he showed with the Thunder, this trade could end up looking like one of the best bargains of the summer and a real boost to the Hawks’ push up the Eastern Conference standings.
In Other News...
Kingston Flemings Just Landed A Hawks Role Built For Growth
Kingston Flemings arrived in Atlanta as the No. 8 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, but the Hawks are not rushing him into the deep end. Instead, they plan to ease the young guard into a lead role with the second unit, where he can handle the ball and learn the pro game with a little more room to grow.
Atlantas veteran additions of Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins and CJ McCollum give the roster more structure around him, and that setup is clearly designed with the future in mind. The idea is for Flemings to develop as a facilitator first, then eventually move toward the starting point guard job once he is ready to take on that responsibility. [Read more 🡒]
Hawks Face A Risky Kuminga Decision With Real Trade Value At Stake
Jonathan Kuminga has become one of the more complicated names in the Hawks orbit as Atlanta weighs whether to participate in a sign-and-trade framework with the Lakers. Los Angeles has been pushing to get a deal done, and the Hawks have at least been part of the conversation because Kuminga still carries real trade value, even as the negotiations have been slowed by questions about his contract expectations and how well he would fit the role the Lakers have in mind.
The appeal for Atlanta is obvious: Kuminga is the kind of talent that can move the needle if the price and structure are right. But the Hawks are also staring at the downside of committing to a deal that may not fully align with their timeline or roster needs, especially with the Lakers asking them to take on additional moving parts in the process. With the talks still unsettled, Atlanta is left to balance upside against risk while trying to avoid being the team that blinks first. [Read more 🡒]
Josh Smith Calls Out Bam Adebayo Over Controversial Rankings
Joe Johnson and Josh Smith had some fun with Bam Adebayos all-time player list on the Nightcap podcast, and the omission at the center of it turned the conversation into more than just a passing ranking debate. The former Hawks standouts zeroed in on Adebayo leaving LeBron James off the list, a choice that instantly gave the segment a different edge because any list that involves James is going to invite a second round of judgment.
Smith took the sharper route, suggesting Adebayo might be salty because James never joined Miami to play with him. The reaction spilled quickly into social media, where fans weighed in on the omission and on the relationship between Adebayo and James, turning a simple ranking exercise into another reminder of how even casual player lists can become a referendum on motives, respect, and old Heat-era connections. [Read more 🡒]