The Atlanta Hawks have already made their boldest move - and now comes the part that’s even harder: resisting the temptation to undo it.
On January 7, 2026, the Hawks officially turned the page on the Trae Young era, sending their franchise centerpiece to the Washington Wizards. It was a move that signaled more than just a roster shake-up - it was a philosophical reset.
Atlanta chose clarity: a commitment to youth, flexibility, and a more balanced offensive identity. But clarity can be a double-edged sword.
It invites opportunity, yes, but also the kind of ambition that can morph into panic if not handled carefully.
Let’s be clear: the nightmare scenario for Atlanta isn’t irrelevance. It’s impatience.
Since the trade, the Hawks have found a surprising second wind. They’ve climbed to 24-26 and currently sit ninth in the Eastern Conference, well within the Play-In Tournament picture.
That’s not just survival - that’s progress. And it’s come not through star power, but through system and balance.
Under head coach Quin Snyder, Atlanta has pivoted away from the heliocentric offense that revolved around Young. Instead, they’ve embraced a faster, more democratic style of play - sixth in the NBA in pace - that spreads touches and responsibilities across the roster.
The additions of CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert in the trade have helped stabilize the rotation, bringing veteran shooting and composure to a team in transition. And defensively, the Hawks look less vulnerable at the point of attack now that they’re not trying to cover for a smaller guard.
But if you’re looking for the real reason Atlanta fans should be optimistic, look no further than Jalen Johnson.
Johnson hasn’t just stepped into a larger role - he’s taken over. The 22-year-old forward has blossomed into a nightly triple-double threat, averaging 22.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 7.9 assists.
His combination of size, vision, and tempo has transformed him into a legitimate All-NBA candidate and the clear face of the franchise. In many ways, his emergence is the clearest justification for the Hawks’ decision to move on from Young.
They didn’t just trade away a star - they made room for a new one.
That said, the Hawks aren’t without flaws. Kristaps Porzingis has brought rim protection and floor spacing when healthy, but his availability remains a question mark.
Rebounding continues to be a soft spot, and beyond Johnson, the long-term core is still taking shape. But here’s the silver lining: Atlanta is projected to have up to $70 million in cap space this summer.
That’s a rare and valuable asset - if they use it wisely.
And that’s where things get tricky.
Since the Young trade, Atlanta has become one of the most talked-about teams ahead of the trade deadline. General Manager Onsi Saleh has made it clear that the organization is building around Johnson.
But the rumor mill doesn’t rest - and lately, it’s been churning out some high-octane scenarios. Big names like Anthony Davis and Giannis Antetokounmpo have been loosely linked to the Hawks, largely because Atlanta owns a potentially premium 2026 first-round pick - the more favorable of Milwaukee’s or New Orleans’ selections.
That’s a golden ticket in trade circles.
But while the headlines scream “superstar,” the more grounded reporting suggests the Hawks are focused on bolstering the roster’s depth. They’ve reportedly explored moves to shore up rebounding and interior defense, with names like Nick Richards, Ivica Zubac, and Jeremy Sochan floated as potential targets.
Porzingis’ $30.7 million expiring contract could be a useful piece in those discussions. The goal?
Improve the margins without compromising the summer flexibility they’ve worked so hard to create.
Still, the Anthony Davis rumors persist - and that’s where the red flags start waving.
On paper, sure, the idea of pairing Davis with Johnson is tantalizing. You get one of the league’s premier defenders next to your rising star and fast-track the rebuild into contention. But in reality, it’s a shortcut that could derail everything.
Here’s the rumored framework:
Hawks receive: Anthony Davis
Mavericks receive: Onyeka Okongwu, Zaccharie Risacher, 2026 Pelicans unprotected first-round pick
That’s not just a trade - that’s a U-turn.
Trading Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick from the 2024 draft, after just half a season would be a stunning reversal. He represents the very idea of patience and internal development that the Hawks supposedly embraced. Moving him now would send the message that the organization lacks the stomach for a true rebuild - that they’re chasing a quick fix rather than building something sustainable.
Then there’s the health factor. A Davis-Porzingis frontcourt looks elite on paper, but both players come with extensive injury histories.
That’s a duo that could dominate in October and disappear by April. For a team trying to establish consistency and identity, that’s a dangerous gamble.
And let’s not forget the financial implications. Davis’ contract would immediately eat into the cap space Atlanta has preserved, locking them into a top-heavy roster with limited flexibility. That’s the same trap they fell into during the Young era - building around one or two stars without the depth to support them.
Right now, the Hawks’ greatest strength is optionality. They’ve got cap space.
They’ve got draft picks. They’ve got a system that’s starting to click.
And most importantly, they’ve got a young star who’s proving he can lead. The last thing they need is to compress the timeline and replicate the same issues that forced them into a reset in the first place.
Atlanta already made the hard decision. They chose to move on from a franchise icon.
They chose to bet on growth over flash. The worst thing they can do now is panic and try to fast-forward the process with a move that looks bold but ages poorly.
The Hawks don’t need to make another splashy headline. What they need is time - time to build, time to develop, and time to see how far Jalen Johnson can take them with the right pieces around him.
Trading Trae Young opened the door to a new era. Trading for Anthony Davis could slam it shut before it even gets started.