The Atlanta Hawks are setting their sights on bolstering their frontcourt as they continue to reshape their roster this offseason. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Hawks are actively pursuing a trade for a big man, highlighting their commitment to enhancing their lineup ahead of the free agency period, which kicks off on Tuesday.
This move comes on the heels of a flurry of activity that has already seen significant changes to Atlanta's roster and coaching staff. The Hawks have secured veteran guard CJ McCollum with an extension, brought in Aaron Wiggins through a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder, and reaffirmed their faith in head coach Quinn Snyder by extending his contract.
The Hawks were also busy during the 2026 NBA Draft, selecting Kingston Fleming with the No. 8 overall pick and Zuby Ejiofor at No. 23. They later traded the rights to their No. 57 pick, Narcisse N'Goy, to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Henri Veesaar, further adding to their young talent pool.
Bringing in another center or frontcourt player would address a key area for the Hawks as they aim to build on last season's achievements. Atlanta wrapped up the 2025-26 campaign with a solid 46-36 record, securing the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference.
They proved to be formidable postseason contenders, challenging the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks by taking a 2-1 lead in their first-round series. The Hawks were the only team to hold a series lead and win multiple games against the Knicks during their championship run.
With much of their roster already fortified through extensions, trades, and draft picks, Atlanta is now focusing on strengthening their interior presence. Whether this addition happens before or after the start of free agency remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the Hawks are determined to remain active and competitive as they aim to climb higher in the Eastern Conference standings.
In Other News...
Hawks Just Got A Huge Break In The Southeast Division
The Southeast Division just got a fresh jolt, and the ripple effects should matter in Atlanta. With Miami and Charlotte reshuffling the top end of their rosters, the short-term balance in the division suddenly looks a little friendlier for the Hawks, who have spent the last few seasons trying to climb back into the East's upper middle class.
Atlanta also has some history of preparing for the division's biggest problems in creative ways, especially against Giannis Antetokounmpo, using unusual defensive looks since 2021 to try to slow his path into the paint. If those kinds of matchups become less frequent in the division race, it could give the Hawks a cleaner runway while Charlotte's timeline gets pushed back a bit more. [Read more 🡒]
Former Hawks Big Suddenly Lands In A Much Bigger Free Agency Battle
The Lakers are shopping for frontcourt help, and Jock Landale has surfaced as one of the bigger names in that mix. The former Hawks center spent part of last season in Atlanta after being waived by Utah, then appeared in 23 games for the Hawks before moving on, and his value around the league has only grown since then. With his physical style and size, he fits the kind of depth teams tend to chase once the market opens.
Atlanta, though, may have a familiar reason to keep an eye on where this goes. Landale is drawing interest from multiple suitors, including teams that can put together a much more aggressive pitch than a simple depth spot, and he is expected to command offers beyond the bi-annual exception. For a Hawks team that already knows what he brings, the question is less about whether he belongs on a roster and more about whether his next deal gets pushed into a range that changes the entire competition. [Read more 🡒]
Hawks Are One Costly Offseason Decision Away From Changing Everything
After a busy stretch of roster shuffling, the Hawks have already checked off a handful of offseason items by re-signing CJ McCollum, adding Aaron Wiggins in a trade, drafting three players and picking up Mouhamed Gueyes team option. Even with those moves in place, Atlanta is still working through how to balance its depth chart with the hard realities of the cap as free agency approaches.
The biggest pressure point is the front offices next contract decision, one that could push the roster into a far more restrictive financial lane if the club decides to keep moving forward with its current plan. Atlanta is also weighing whether it can clear enough room by exploring trades involving Buddy Hield, Corey Kispert and Zaccharie Risacher, a reminder that one more move could reshape not just the rotation but the teams entire offseason flexibility. [Read more 🡒]