Chandler Parsons urges the Hawks to chase Anthony Davis, proposing a bold trade package to redefine their competitive timeline.
The Atlanta Hawks have already reshaped their direction by moving on from Trae Young, but at least one former NBA player believes that move should not mark the end of their ambition ahead of the trade deadline.
Speaking on FanDuel TV’s Run It Back, Chandler Parsons argued that Atlanta should consider an aggressive pursuit of Anthony Davis, framing it as the type of risk a franchise in transition can afford to take.
With the Hawks no longer tethered to Young and viewing Jalen Johnson as a foundational piece, Parsons suggested Atlanta is positioned to chase a true swing-for-the-fences move.
Parsons’ proposal centered on a package that would send Kristaps Porzingis, Zaccharie Risacher, Vit Krejci, and a future first-round pick to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Davis.
“If I'm Atlanta... I just got rid of Trae Young and I got my future guy in Jalen Johnson, I think I'm okay with swinging for the fence here," he said.
However, the idea was less about certainty and more about upside, betting that adding an established superstar could accelerate Atlanta’s next phase, even at significant cost.
The logic is understandable on paper. When healthy, Davis remains one of the league’s most impactful two-way bigs. In limited action this season, he has continued to produce at a high level, anchoring defenses while providing interior scoring and rim protection.
For a Hawks team navigating the middle ground between rebuilding and competing, that caliber of player represents a shortcut few opportunities can offer.
The complications are equally clear, though. Davis is currently sidelined with a hand injury, and his durability has been a persistent concern across recent seasons. That reality has cooled what was once a broader market for him.
According to reporting from Christian Clark of The Athletic, league sentiment points toward Dallas holding onto Davis through the deadline, in part because teams are hesitant to commit significant assets without confidence in his availability.
That view is shared by NBA insider Brett Siegel, who has noted that injury concerns have discouraged serious talks. While Atlanta has been loosely linked to Davis in recent weeks, momentum around a deal has stalled as the deadline approaches.
From Dallas’ perspective, patience makes sense. The Mavericks remain within reach of the Play-In picture and have yet to see their roster fully intact. With Kyrie Irving still working back from injury and Cooper Flagg emerging as a key contributor, the organization appears inclined to evaluate its ceiling before making any drastic decisions.