NBA Trade Watch: Warriors, Hornets, Hawks Each Facing Crucial Roster Decisions
As the NBA calendar inches closer to the midseason trade window, three teams-Golden State, Charlotte, and Atlanta-are standing at very different crossroads. Each franchise is dealing with its own mix of roster questions, cap constraints, and long-term planning. Let’s break down where things stand for the Warriors, Hornets, and Hawks, and what could be coming next.
Golden State Warriors: Waiting on Kuminga’s Clock
For the Warriors, this isn’t about blowing things up-it’s about timing. Golden State is essentially in a holding pattern right now, but one date is circled in bold on the front office calendar: January 15. That’s when Jonathan Kuminga becomes trade-eligible, and that could open up a path toward reshaping the frontcourt.
Kuminga, once viewed as a core piece of the Warriors’ next-gen rotation, has recently fallen out of favor. After starting the season in the first five, he’s now logged three straight DNPs.
That’s a steep drop for a player with his athletic upside and defensive versatility. But it also makes you wonder-if he’s not in Steve Kerr’s rotation, is his $22.5 million salary better used as a trade chip?
Golden State is hard-capped and sitting just under the second apron, which limits their ability to make major moves. But they do have one thing going for them: complete control of their own first-round picks from 2026 through 2032. That gives the front office some real leverage in long-term planning, even if the short-term options are tighter.
If a deal doesn’t materialize by the deadline, the Warriors could choose to exercise Kuminga’s team option this offseason and revisit the market then. But with the team still trying to maximize the final years of the Stephen Curry era, waiting might not be the luxury they can afford.
Charlotte Hornets: Is LaMelo Still the Franchise Cornerstone?
In Charlotte, the question is less about trade deadlines and more about the direction of the franchise. After a full season to evaluate their young core, the Hornets are now forced to ask a tough question: Is LaMelo Ball still the centerpiece of their rebuild?
Ball’s numbers paint a mixed picture. His scoring has dipped, but he’s dishing a career-high 8.5 assists per game, showing he can still orchestrate an offense at a high level.
The bigger concern? **Durability.
** He’s only topped 47 games played twice in his career, and availability continues to be part of the conversation when assessing his long-term value.
The Hornets haven’t made the playoffs during Ball’s tenure, and that reality hangs over every decision they make. The team is hard-capped, but they’ve got some breathing room-well below the first apron-and a sizable trade exception that gives them flexibility if they choose to shake things up.
Charlotte also owns a strong collection of future first-round picks, which could become key assets depending on which direction the front office decides to take. Whether that’s doubling down on Ball and building around him, or pivoting toward a different vision entirely, the Hornets have options. But sooner or later, they’ll have to commit to a path.
Atlanta Hawks: Porzingis' Expiring Deal Looms Large
In Atlanta, the spotlight isn’t on Trae Young-at least not for now. The more immediate question is what to do with Kristaps Porzingis and his $30.7 million expiring contract.
Porzingis has barely seen the floor since arriving from Boston, suiting up for just 13 games due to illness and knee soreness. That’s not what the Hawks had in mind when they brought him in, and now they’re left with a decision: let the contract expire and gain cap flexibility this summer, or try to flip it before the trade deadline.
The Hawks are also hard-capped but sit under the first apron, with a mid-sized exception available to help facilitate a deal. They’ve got valuable future picks in the bank too, which could sweeten any trade package if they decide to be aggressive.
Ultimately, this might come down to timing more than urgency. If the right opportunity presents itself, Atlanta has the tools to act. But if not, they can ride out the season and reassess with more flexibility in the offseason.
Final Word
All three teams are in very different places, but they share one thing in common: decisions are coming. Whether it’s Golden State weighing the value of Kuminga’s contract, Charlotte deciding if LaMelo is still their guy, or Atlanta figuring out how to handle Porzingis’ expiring deal, the next few weeks could shape the trajectory of each franchise.
The trade deadline always brings movement-but for these teams, it might bring clarity.