The Atlanta Hawks have made it clear: the rebuild is no longer coming-it's here. And it started with a bang.
On January 7, the Hawks sent longtime franchise face Trae Young to the Washington Wizards in a blockbuster move that brought back veteran guard CJ McCollum and forward Corey Kispert. That was just the beginning.
As the February 5 trade deadline approached, Atlanta doubled down on its midseason transformation. Four more deals followed, each one signaling a shift in philosophy.
The most notable? A trade with the Golden State Warriors that shipped out Kristaps Porzingis in exchange for Buddy Hield and Jonathan Kuminga.
And just before the buzzer, the Hawks struck another deal, this time with the Lakers, sending Luke Kennard west and bringing in Gabe Vincent.
This flurry of activity wasn’t just about shaking things up-it was about resetting the foundation. Atlanta isn’t chasing star power anymore. They’re chasing versatility, availability, and a roster that fits together in a more modern, fluid way.
The End of the Trae Era, and What Comes Next
Trading Trae Young was more than a roster move-it was a statement. For years, Young was the heartbeat of the Hawks’ offense, a high-usage engine who could dazzle with deep threes and creative playmaking.
But his departure marks a philosophical pivot. The Hawks are no longer building around a singular star.
Instead, they’re embracing a more positionless, adaptable style of play-one that leans on depth, defensive flexibility, and players who can fill multiple roles on both ends of the floor.
The Porzingis trade underscores that shift. Acquired just last July, KP was expected to be a game-changer in Atlanta.
But injuries held him to only 17 games in a Hawks uniform, and the team wasted no time moving on. In return, they got two players who fit their new mold: Hield, a sharpshooter who can stretch the floor, and Kuminga, a young, athletic forward with untapped upside.
No More Safety Nets for Role Players
This new Hawks front office isn’t sentimental. The trade of Vit Krejci sent a clear message-familiarity won’t protect you.
If you’re not contributing or showing real growth, you’re on the bubble. That mindset is now being applied across the roster, and a few names are standing out as players whose futures in Atlanta are suddenly uncertain.
1. Keaton Wallace
Wallace has shown flashes in limited minutes, but the guard rotation just got even tighter with the addition of Gabe Vincent. Between McCollum, Vincent, and the already established backcourt pieces, Wallace may find himself squeezed out. It’s not a knock on his talent-it’s just a numbers game, and right now, he’s on the outside looking in.
2. Zaccharie Risacher
This one’s a little more complicated. Risacher, a recent top pick, was seen as a key building block for the future. But with the arrival of Kuminga and Kispert-both lottery picks themselves-he suddenly has real competition at the small forward spot.
The Hawks reportedly refused to include Risacher in trade talks for Anthony Davis, which suggests they still believe in his long-term potential. But belief and opportunity aren’t always aligned.
If Kuminga starts to shine and carve out a bigger role, Risacher could find himself sliding down the depth chart. And if that happens, Atlanta will have to make some tough decisions.
3. Nikola Durisic
Durisic is another young wing with promise, but like Risacher, he’s now caught in a numbers crunch. Kuminga’s arrival adds depth and athleticism to the forward rotation, and unless Durisic makes a strong impression soon, he may not get the minutes he needs to develop. It’s not necessarily a reflection of his ceiling-it’s just the reality of a roster that’s suddenly a lot more crowded at his position.
Availability Over Flash
One thing is becoming increasingly clear: the Hawks are putting a premium on availability. Porzingis played just 17 games.
Trae Young, only 10. That kind of inconsistency from your top players makes it hard to build any real momentum.
Now, the front office is prioritizing guys who can stay on the floor and contribute night in and night out.
That’s part of why the additions of players like Hield, Kispert, and Vincent make sense. They’re not flashy, but they’re reliable.
They fit into a system. And that’s what Atlanta is betting on-cohesion, not chaos.
Building Around Jalen Johnson
If there’s one player who seems to be at the center of this new-look Hawks team, it’s Jalen Johnson. The young guard has shown flashes of two-way potential, and the front office appears to be building a roster that complements his strengths.
Instead of surrounding him with high-usage stars or aging vets, the Hawks are opting for players who can space the floor, defend multiple positions, and keep the ball moving. It’s a more balanced approach, one that could give Johnson the room to grow into a true franchise cornerstone.
Final Thoughts
The Hawks’ trade deadline moves weren’t just about shaking things up-they were about sending a message. This is no longer a team built around a single star.
It’s a team that values fit, flexibility, and function. The days of leaning on one or two big names to carry the load are over.
Now, it’s about building a roster where everyone contributes, and no one is safe just because of their draft position or past performance.
Atlanta’s front office is making bold moves, and they’re not looking back. Whether this new direction leads to sustained success remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: the Hawks are done waiting. The future is now.