Hawks’ dream 2026 NBA trade deadline scenario after already trading Trae Young
By NBA Staff Writer
The Atlanta Hawks have officially turned the page. With the January 7 blockbuster that sent franchise icon Trae Young to the Washington Wizards, the organization has ripped off the bandage and fully committed to the Jalen Johnson era. While the return package of CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert was viewed primarily as a financial reset, the upcoming February 5 trade deadline presents General Manager Onsi Saleh with a golden opportunity to accelerate this retooling process.
For Atlanta, the "dream scenario" next week isn't about landing another superstar immediately; it is about maximizing asset management. The Hawks are sitting on a treasure trove of expiring contracts—specifically McCollum and Kristaps Porzingis—that are highly attractive to contenders desperate for veteran scoring and size. The ideal outcome involves flipping McCollum to a playoff-bound team for a future first-round pick or a young, defensive-minded wing who fits the timeline of Johnson and Zaccharie Risacher.
However, the linchpin of Atlanta’s deadline strategy involves what they *don’t* do. Despite swirling rumors regarding Giannis Antetokounmpo and his potential exit from Milwaukee, the Hawks’ dream scenario requires holding onto their most prized possession: the 2026 first-round pick (swappable with the Bucks or Pelicans). With Milwaukee struggling, that pick has the potential to be the No. 1 overall selection in a loaded draft class. Trading it now for a quick fix would be malpractice.
Instead, the perfect deadline sees Atlanta acquiring a controllable center prospect like Day’Ron Sharpe to shore up the interior rotation behind Onyeka Okongwu, while clearing the books for a massive summer. If the Hawks can exit the deadline having converted their expiring veterans into long-term assets while protecting their lottery odds, they will have successfully executed one of the most efficient pivots in recent NBA history. The post-Trae Young era is here, and for the first time in years, the Hawks have a clear, unclouded direction.
The Atlanta Hawks have officially turned the page. With the January 7 blockbuster that sent franchise icon Trae Young to the Washington Wizards, the organization has ripped off the bandage and fully committed to the Jalen Johnson era. While the return package of CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert was viewed primarily as a financial reset, the upcoming February 5 trade deadline presents General Manager Onsi Saleh with a golden opportunity to accelerate this retooling process.
For Atlanta, the "dream scenario" next week isn't about landing another superstar immediately; it is about maximizing asset management. The Hawks are sitting on a treasure trove of expiring contracts—specifically McCollum and Kristaps Porzingis—that are highly attractive to contenders desperate for veteran scoring and size. The ideal outcome involves flipping McCollum to a playoff-bound team for a future first-round pick or a young, defensive-minded wing who fits the timeline of Johnson and Zaccharie Risacher.
However, the linchpin of Atlanta’s deadline strategy involves what they *don’t* do. Despite swirling rumors regarding Giannis Antetokounmpo and his potential exit from Milwaukee, the Hawks’ dream scenario requires holding onto their most prized possession: the 2026 first-round pick (swappable with the Bucks or Pelicans). With Milwaukee struggling, that pick has the potential to be the No. 1 overall selection in a loaded draft class. Trading it now for a quick fix would be malpractice.
Instead, the perfect deadline sees Atlanta acquiring a controllable center prospect like Day’Ron Sharpe to shore up the interior rotation behind Onyeka Okongwu, while clearing the books for a massive summer. If the Hawks can exit the deadline having converted their expiring veterans into long-term assets while protecting their lottery odds, they will have successfully executed one of the most efficient pivots in recent NBA history. The post-Trae Young era is here, and for the first time in years, the Hawks have a clear, unclouded direction.
