The Atlanta Hawks have officially stepped back from the Jaylen Brown sweepstakes, and it's easy to see why. With the Boston Celtics setting the price tag at four first-round draft picks, it's a hefty ask for any team, especially one focused on a strategic rebuild like Atlanta. The Hawks are looking to nurture their young core, with Jalen Johnson emerging as a standout star at just 24 years old.
Jaylen Brown, fresh off a career-best season, is no doubt a tempting prospect. Averaging 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game, Brown has proven his mettle by leading the Celtics to the playoffs without Jayson Tatum, who was sidelined with an Achilles injury.
His sixth-place finish in MVP voting and the 2024 Finals MVP award underscore his superstar status. Yet, the Hawks are cautious, recognizing that such a significant investment in Brown could hinder their long-term plans.
Atlanta's hesitation isn't without precedent. They opted out of the bidding war for Giannis Antetokounmpo, recognizing the steep price of going all-in.
While Giannis is undeniably a top-tier player, Brown, despite his accolades, occupies a slightly lower echelon. The Hawks are looking for a true alpha to elevate their squad to title contention, but they’re wary of sacrificing too much for a 29-year-old talent.
The Hawks' roster is brimming with potential. Alongside Johnson, players like Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker form a promising nucleus, with rookie Kingston Flemings poised to join the mix.
Atlanta's strategy is clear: build a contender gradually, without compromising future flexibility. They’ve already shown they can compete at a high level, having been the only team to beat the eventual champion New York Knicks more than once in the 2026 playoffs.
Atlanta's front office is keeping its options open, scanning the market for the right deal that aligns with their vision. They're not shying away from big names, but any move will be calculated. The Hawks are acutely aware of the financial landscape in the second apron era, where rosters can become expensive quickly and championship windows narrow.
Onsi Saleh, the Hawks' decision-maker, is known for his shrewd moves and is expected to continue refining the roster. While the allure of a player like Brown is undeniable, the current asking price from Boston simply doesn't fit Atlanta's blueprint. Instead, the Hawks will remain patient, ready to pounce when the perfect opportunity arises to push their chips in and make a genuine run for the title.
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 🡒]