The Atlanta Hawks didn’t sit quietly at the NBA trade deadline - they made noise. Big noise. In a pair of headline-grabbing moves, the Hawks dealt franchise point guard Trae Young to the Wizards in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, then followed that up by acquiring Buddy Hield and Jonathan Kuminga in a deal that sent Kristaps Porzingis to Golden State.
It’s a clear signal: Atlanta is retooling, and they’re not afraid to shake things up to do it.
With the dust still settling from those trades, the Hawks now look ahead to an offseason that could further reshape the franchise. And while nothing is set in stone, the rumor mill is already spinning - this time with a wild hypothetical involving one of the league’s brightest young stars.
A recent social media post sparked speculation after Anthony Edwards was overheard telling Hawks forward Jalen Johnson, “I can’t wait to come home… y’all got so many wings.” Edwards, a native of Atlanta, could’ve easily been talking about food - this is Atlanta, after all - but that didn’t stop fans from dreaming bigger. What if “coming home” meant suiting up for the Hawks?
Let’s be clear: Edwards is under contract with the Timberwolves for the long haul - five years, $244 million, with nearly $49 million coming his way next season alone. He’s the face of a Minnesota team that’s made back-to-back trips to the Western Conference Finals and is trending upward. There’s no real reason for him to leave a contending team that’s built around him.
But that hasn’t stopped some from imagining what it would take for Atlanta to pull off the unthinkable.
The Hawks do have some intriguing assets. They’re in line to receive the more favorable of the Pelicans’ or Bucks’ 2026 first-round picks - and if that Pelicans pick lands in the top five, it becomes a serious trade chip. Add that to a package including young talent like Zaccharie Risacher, Onyeka Okongwu, and future firsts, and you’re starting to build the kind of blockbuster offer that at least gets a conversation started.
Still, even a monster trade package doesn’t change the fact that Edwards is thriving in Minnesota. He’s surrounded by a strong supporting cast, playing meaningful playoff basketball, and evolving into one of the league’s premier two-way stars.
Meanwhile, Atlanta is in the early stages of a rebuild. Yes, they’ve added intriguing pieces - Kuminga brings upside, McCollum adds veteran leadership, and the wing depth is real - but this team isn’t knocking on the door of title contention just yet.
So, would Edwards really leave a contender to join a team still trying to find its footing? That’s a tough sell.
At this point, the idea of Edwards returning to his hometown in a Hawks jersey is more fantasy than forecast. It’s fun to imagine - the hometown hero leading a young, athletic squad back to relevance - but for now, it’s just that: a dream scenario.
The Hawks have made bold moves, and they’ll have more chances to reshape their roster this offseason. But prying away a 24-year-old superstar from a contending team? That’s a whole different level of bold - and one that, at least for now, feels far from reality.