Podcast voices dissect the Hawks' uncertain future, grappling with the Trae Young trade and the crucial stretch ahead before Memphis.
With the Atlanta Hawks searching for clarity amid a difficult stretch, a pregame episode of the Hawks Roundtable podcast captured the uncertainty surrounding Atlanta’s direction before Wednesday night’s matchup in Memphis.
The discussion, recorded earlier in the day, featured Grant Afseth alongside Hawks analyst TJ French and NBA writer James Piercey, who made his first appearance on the show. Atlanta entered the night riding a four-game losing streak, slipping deeper into the Eastern Conference play-in picture and facing mounting questions following the trade of Trae Young.
Piercey, who has covered the league for multiple outlets and recently joined Dallas Hoops Journal, opened by explaining why the opportunity to broaden his NBA coverage appealed to him.
Piercey said his interest in league-wide analysis stems from believing context is essential to understanding any one team.
“I think you can only understand your team if you understand as much about the league as you can,” Piercey said. “So I’m happy to be here.”
French, who has closely followed Atlanta’s season, framed the conversation around urgency. The Hawks had dropped four straight games and were approaching the trade deadline with their record moving in the wrong direction.
French said the coming weeks could shape the franchise’s immediate future.
“I think there are going to be some internal conversations being had about this Hawks team in the next couple of weeks,” French said.
Much of the episode focused on the implications of moving on from Young. Piercey argued that the decision was less about the short-term return and more about redefining the roster around Jalen Johnson, who has emerged as Atlanta’s centerpiece.
Piercey said the move reflected a philosophical shift rather than a bid for instant improvement.
“I think it was time to move on, especially with Jalen Johnson emerging as a viable primary usage guy,” Piercey said. “I don’t think this was addition by subtraction where you’re better right away. It was about reimagining the roster.”
Afseth expanded on that point by emphasizing the value of flexibility, particularly with a valuable draft pick looming from New Orleans. He suggested Atlanta’s patience now could prevent difficult decisions later.
Afseth said committing too early could complicate the summer.
“You don’t want to commit to something now and have it be a weird fit later,” Afseth said. “The options this summer could be really significant.”
Trade speculation naturally entered the conversation, including the idea of pursuing a star frontcourt player. Piercey pushed back on that approach, noting Atlanta’s greater need for complementary skill sets rather than a full roster overhaul.
Piercey said his focus would be on offensive balance.
“I’d be thinking more about guards who can move off the ball and play alongside Jalen Johnson, rather than trying to overhaul everything,” Piercey said.
French offered a different angle, pointing to Atlanta’s persistent issues defending the paint and controlling the interior. He argued that the lack of size and rim protection has repeatedly undermined the Hawks’ progress.
French said the problem has been ongoing.
“They just get ripped up in the paint too often,” French said. “That’s been their demise.”
The conversation also turned toward accountability. With Young no longer in the picture, French noted the absence of an obvious scapegoat, raising harder questions about execution, player development and coaching under Quin Snyder.
As Atlanta prepared to face Memphis later that night, the podcast underscored a central theme: the Hawks are balancing nightly competitiveness with long-term recalibration. The win that followed offered temporary relief, but the issues outlined before tipoff remain central to what comes next.