The Hawks Have a Clear Path-Now Comes the Hard Part: Staying the Course
The Atlanta Hawks made the boldest move of their season-and possibly their decade-on January 7, 2026. That’s the day they traded Trae Young, the face of the franchise, to the Washington Wizards.
It was more than just a roster shake-up. It was a philosophical shift.
A declaration that the team was ready to pivot from a star-centric identity to something more balanced, more sustainable, and, ideally, more successful.
But here’s the thing about clarity: it can tempt you to act too quickly. And for Atlanta, the real danger now isn’t irrelevance-it’s impatience.
Post-Trae, the Hawks Are Flying Higher Than Expected
At the time of the trade, the Hawks were hovering around .500, stuck in the middle of the Eastern Conference with no clear direction. Moving Young felt like an acknowledgment that the ceiling had been reached.
But instead of spiraling, the Hawks have found something close to momentum. Since the deal, they’ve climbed to 24-26 and now sit ninth in the East, right in the thick of the Play-In race.
Head coach Quin Snyder has steered the team away from a heliocentric offense that revolved entirely around Young. In its place, Atlanta has adopted a faster, more democratic approach.
They're now sixth in the league in pace, and the ball is moving with purpose. The additions of CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert in the trade have brought veteran shooting and stability, giving the offense a solid foundation without relying on one dominant ball-handler.
Defensively, the Hawks have taken a step forward as well. Without the need to hide a smaller guard at the point of attack, they’re showing more cohesion and fewer breakdowns. It’s not elite yet, but it’s trending in the right direction.
Jalen Johnson: The New Face of the Franchise
The real story of Atlanta’s season, though, is Jalen Johnson. With Young gone, Johnson has stepped into the spotlight-and he’s thriving.
Averaging 22.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game, he’s become a legitimate All-NBA candidate and a nightly triple-double threat. His game blends strength, vision, and tempo in a way that makes the Hawks’ new offense hum.
More importantly, Johnson’s emergence has validated the front office’s decision to reset. He’s not just filling the void left by Young-he’s redefining what this team can be.
Not Without Flaws
Of course, this isn’t a finished product. Kristaps Porzingis has provided rim protection and floor spacing when he’s on the floor-but his availability remains a question mark. Atlanta still struggles on the glass, and the roster beyond Johnson lacks long-term clarity.
But here’s the silver lining: the Hawks are projected to have around $70 million in cap space this summer. That kind of flexibility is rare, and it’s valuable. If Atlanta stays disciplined, they can build a deep, versatile roster around their new cornerstone.
Trade Deadline Temptations
Since the Young trade, the Hawks have become a fixture in trade rumors. General Manager Onsi Saleh has made it clear that the future revolves around Johnson.
But the speculation machine doesn’t sleep. Atlanta’s name has been linked to stars like Anthony Davis and Giannis Antetokounmpo, largely because they hold one of the league’s most coveted assets: the more favorable of the Bucks’ or Pelicans’ 2026 first-round picks.
That pick is a golden ticket. And while some reports suggest the Hawks are wisely targeting depth upgrades-think rebounding and rim protection with names like Nick Richards, Ivica Zubac, or Jeremy Sochan-other rumors point toward a more dramatic path.
The Nightmare Scenario
Here’s where things get dicey. One trade proposal making the rounds would send Anthony Davis to Atlanta in exchange for Onyeka Okongwu, 2024 No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher, and that prized 2026 first-round pick.
On paper, it’s tempting. Davis is still one of the game’s most dominant defenders, and pairing him with Johnson could vault the Hawks up the standings.
But in reality, it’s a shortcut. And shortcuts come with steep costs.
Trading Risacher-after just half a season-would be a massive red flag. He represents everything the Hawks claimed to value when they hit the reset button: patience, development, and internal growth. Moving him now would scream panic, not progress.
Add to that the injury concerns. Porzingis and Davis together form a frontcourt that looks elite in theory and fragile in practice. Both have extensive health histories, and building around them risks a scenario where your best lineup is rarely available when it matters most.
Then there’s the financial side. Davis’ contract would eat up the cap space Atlanta worked so hard to create. Suddenly, a team that was poised to build with flexibility becomes top-heavy and rigid-exactly the kind of roster construction that forced the Young trade in the first place.
Stay the Course
The Hawks have already made the hard decision. They moved on from their franchise star, embraced a new identity, and handed the keys to a rising talent in Jalen Johnson.
That kind of clarity is rare in the NBA. But it only matters if they stick with it.
Atlanta doesn’t need to chase headlines. They need to build smart, stay patient, and let this new version of the team breathe. The flexibility they’ve earned is a weapon-if they use it wisely.
Trading Trae Young opened a new chapter. Bringing in Anthony Davis would close it before it ever got a chance to be written.
For the Hawks, the real win isn’t in swinging big at the deadline. It’s in resisting the urge to rush and giving this reset the time it deserves.