The Atlanta Hawks didn’t land a blockbuster name at the trade deadline, but make no mistake - they were one of the busiest teams in the league. Five trades.
A franchise cornerstone out the door. And while the return might not have fans racing to State Farm Arena with renewed hope, the front office sent a clear message: change is here.
Let’s break it all down.
The Big Picture: A Reset in Motion
Atlanta’s moves weren’t about chasing a Play-In spot this year - they were about reshaping the roster and setting the stage for what comes next. The Hawks offloaded Trae Young and Kristaps Porzingis, two of their most recognizable names, and brought in a mix of young talent, veteran contracts, and future draft capital. It’s not a full teardown, but it’s a pivot - a strategic reset with flexibility in mind.
If you line up the trades as one big transaction, here’s what the Hawks got:
Incoming:
- Corey Kispert
- CJ McCollum
- Buddy Hield
- Jonathan Kuminga
- Gabe Vincent
- Jock Landale
- Three second-round picks (2027, 2030, 2032)
- Duop Reath (waived)
Outgoing:
- Trae Young
- Kristaps Porzingis
- Vit Krejci
- Luke Kennard
- Cash considerations
It’s not a haul that jumps off the page, but this wasn’t about winning the deadline - it was about getting the Hawks in position to win future deadlines, free agency periods, and maybe even a playoff series down the line.
Let’s go trade by trade.
Trae Young for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert
Grade: C+
This is the headline-grabber. Trae Young, the face of the franchise, moved for a veteran guard on an expiring deal and a promising shooter in Kispert.
On paper, it feels underwhelming. Young is still one of the league’s most dynamic offensive players, and the return doesn’t match his star power.
But context matters. Around the league, there wasn’t a hot market for Young.
Whether it was his contract, play style, or defensive limitations, teams weren’t lining up with offers. So the Hawks pivoted to cap flexibility and a culture reset.
McCollum’s deal comes off the books soon, and Kispert has already shown flashes as a floor spacer who fits well next to Jalen Johnson.
Most importantly, this move cleared $35 million in cap space - a swing that took Atlanta from over the cap to $15 million under. That’s real flexibility, and for a team looking to retool on the fly, that matters.
Vit Krejci for Duop Reath and Two Second-Round Picks
Grade: B+
This was a savvy piece of business. Krejci had become redundant after the Kispert acquisition and the return of Zaccharie Risacher.
Rather than let him languish at the end of the bench, the Hawks flipped him for two second-rounders. That’s found money.
Reath was just a salary match and was waived immediately, so this was all about turning a fringe rotation player into future assets. It’s the kind of low-key move that doesn’t make headlines but adds up over time.
Cash Considerations for Jock Landale
Grade: A+ (Low Impact)
This one’s simple: Atlanta needed size, and they got a center for free.
Landale isn’t going to change the trajectory of the season, but he gives the Hawks a stretch five with some upside. He’s had flashes in other stops, and at the very least, he plugs a hole in the rotation. For a team that’s struggled with interior presence all year, this is a no-brainer.
Kristaps Porzingis for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield
Grade: C+
Porzingis hadn’t suited up for Atlanta, so this was about getting something - anything - for a player who wasn’t helping the current group. In return, the Hawks landed two interesting pieces.
Kuminga is the wild card here. He’s still just 23 and has all the tools - athleticism, size, and flashes of two-way potential.
He hasn’t put it all together yet, but sometimes a change of scenery is all it takes. If the Hawks can unlock his game, this becomes a steal.
Hield, meanwhile, is a known commodity. He can shoot the lights out and comes with a manageable deal - just $3 million guaranteed next season.
If he fits, great. If not, Atlanta can move on without much pain.
This was a classic low-risk, high-upside play.
Luke Kennard for Gabe Vincent and a Second-Round Pick
Grade: B-
Kennard came in with a reputation as one of the league’s best shooters, but he never found his rhythm in Atlanta. Despite his elite career three-point percentage, he rarely let it fly and didn’t move the needle offensively. Advanced metrics like DARKO even pegged him as a net negative on that end.
So to flip him for a second-round pick and a flier on Gabe Vincent? That’s a win.
Vincent has had a rough season, but he’s just a year removed from being a key playoff contributor. Like many of these moves, it’s about giving the Hawks options - if Vincent rebounds, great.
If not, both contracts expire this summer and Atlanta walks away with a draft pick.
Final Thoughts: A Foundation, Not a Finish Line
Overall Deadline Grade: B-
No, the Hawks didn’t land a star. They didn’t snag a first-round pick.
But what they did do was clear cap space, add multiple second-rounders, and bring in a handful of players who could either develop into rotation pieces or be flipped down the road. That’s how you start a retool.
This deadline wasn’t about winning now - it was about giving themselves a shot to win later. With the 2026 NOP/MIL pick still on the way and more flexibility than they’ve had in years, the Hawks are positioned to make a bigger splash down the line.
And here’s the thing: they don’t need all of these moves to pan out. Just one. If Kispert evolves into a reliable shooter off the bench, or Kuminga taps into his potential, or Hield becomes a trade chip - that’s enough to tip the scales.
For now, Atlanta is playing the long game. And after years of spinning their wheels in the middle of the East, that might be the smartest move they’ve made yet.