Hawks pull back from Anthony Davis trade talks. Injury concerns and roster plans chill blockbuster deal as deadline looms.
The idea of a blockbuster move appears to be fading for the Atlanta Hawks as the NBA trade deadline approaches, with sources telling HawksRoundtable that the Atlanta Hawks are not currently engaged in significant trade discussions involving Anthony Davis.
With roughly two weeks remaining before the deadline, Atlanta has been viewed around the league as a potential swing team after already reshaping its roster earlier this season. The Hawks sent Trae Young to the Washington Wizards in a deal that brought back C.J. McCollum and Corey Kispert, formally closing the Young era and resetting the franchise’s competitive timeline.
That reset initially fueled speculation that Atlanta could remain aggressive. The Hawks control more than $70 million in expiring contracts, along with a collection of young players and future draft assets — a profile that often places teams at the center of high-end trade conversations as the deadline draws closer.
For a stretch, Davis was the most prominent name connected to that framework.
Around the league, Atlanta was viewed as one of the teams most closely monitoring Davis’ situation should the Dallas Mavericks explore the trade market. However, sources tell HawksRoundtable that momentum around those scenarios has cooled significantly, to the point where viable trade constructions are now difficult to identify.
That shift follows Dallas announcing that Davis will be sidelined for at least six weeks due to ligament damage in his left hand, adding another layer of uncertainty to an already complex evaluation. For teams weighing a deal, the timing of the injury has only heightened the risk associated with a major commitment.
From a basketball perspective, the fit in Atlanta was straightforward. Davis would have immediately addressed several of the Hawks’ most pressing needs, including rebounding, rim protection, and interior defense. But the broader profile has given pause. At 32, Davis carries an extensive injury history, would require a substantial trade package to acquire, and is seeking a maximum contract extension — a combination that elevates both short- and long-term risk.
Atlanta’s longer-term outlook further explains the pause. Much of the Hawks’ projected 2026 roster is already in place, built around a young core that includes Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, Zaccharie Risacher, Onyeka Okongwu, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Complementary pieces such as Corey Kispert, Asa Newell, Vit Krejci, Mouhamed Gueye — who carries a team option — and N’Faly Dante are also under contract, giving the front office a clearer picture of its baseline moving forward.
Beyond the current roster, the Hawks could control two first-round picks in the upcoming draft, including a potential opportunity at the No. 1 overall selection through assets acquired in the Pelicans trade. That draft capital, paired with a young core still developing, offers multiple avenues to reshape the roster without committing to a high-risk swing tied to health and long-term salary.
Atlanta could still explore moves to upgrade around the margins before the deadline, but sources indicate the concept of Anthony Davis in a Hawks uniform is losing traction. What once surfaced as a bold possibility now appears increasingly unlikely as the organization prioritizes flexibility, durability, and long-term optionality over a costly gamble.