Atlanta's urgency is sharpening. They're reportedly willing to part with Zaccharie Risacher to land Anthony Davis.
Around the league, momentum is building around one central idea: if a team is prepared to meaningfully test Dallas’ resolve on Anthony Davis, the Atlanta Hawks appear to be the most motivated to do so.
That framing gained traction this week through reporting from NBA insider Marc Stein, who noted that Atlanta is increasingly believed to be open to surrendering Zaccharie Risacher in the right scenario as part of a Davis pursuit. Stein reported that the Hawks’ willingness stems from internal disappointment with Risacher’s development to this point, though questions remain about how much additional draft compensation Atlanta would be prepared — or able — to attach to a deal centered on expiring contracts and young talent.
Those signals align with broader league sentiment that Atlanta’s urgency has sharpened as December has unfolded. The Hawks are 15–18 and have lost 10 of their last 12 games, a stretch that has narrowed the margin for patience after a season defined by uneven availability and defensive inconsistency. While earlier stretches without Trae Young did not force a pivot, December’s underperformance has increased pressure to clarify direction rather than drift.
Risacher’s trajectory sits at the center of that conversation. The 20-year-old is averaging 10.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists while shooting 45.5% from the field and 33.3% from three. Outside of assists, those marks represent regression from his rookie season, a reality that has shaped how rival teams frame Atlanta’s short-term uncertainty and long-term timelines.
At the same time, the Hawks’ internal picture is not uniformly bleak. Jalen Johnson’s emergence has accelerated expectations, while Dyson Daniels, Onyeka Okongwu and Asa Newell continue to be viewed as foundational pieces. Johnson, in particular, has been a stabilizing force, averaging 23.8 points, 10.4 rebounds and 8.3 assists, even as the team around him has struggled to sustain momentum.
What separates Atlanta from other theoretical Davis suitors is not just interest, but structure. The Hawks can construct one of the cleanest in-season trade frameworks in the league by combining Kristaps Porziņģis’ $30.7 million expiring contract, Luke Kennard’s $11 million deal and Risacher’s $13.1 million salary. At roughly $54.9 million, that package nearly mirrors Davis’ $54.1 million salary, eliminating the need for third-team complexity and making Atlanta unusually well-positioned from a mechanics standpoint.
Draft capital remains the fulcrum. Dallas would naturally covet Atlanta’s 2026 first-round pick via New Orleans, an asset widely viewed as a potential top-tier selection. From Atlanta’s perspective, that pick is considered untouchable given its upside. However, the Hawks do possess additional levers, including valuable future swap rights in 2027 and 2028 tied to Milwaukee, New Orleans, Utah and Cleveland.
From Dallas’ side, any Davis conversation remains inseparable from availability, contract risk and organizational direction, as detailed previously by DallasHoopsJournal.com. Davis has averaged 20.5 points and 10.9 rebounds in 16 games this season, but durability continues to weigh heavily in league evaluations. The Mavericks are 4–12 in games he has missed this season and 11–29 overall without him since acquiring him in February, compared to a winning record when he plays.
That context is further shaped by Dallas’ long-term focus on Cooper Flagg, whose rapid development has reoriented roster planning. Flagg is averaging 19.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists on the season, with a notable uptick over the past month that has reinforced internal confidence in patience and flexibility over urgency-driven moves.
Taken together, those dynamics explain why Atlanta stands apart. The Hawks are not merely capable of assembling an offer — they are the team most incentivized to act. Their December slide has compressed timelines, their asset mix allows for clean construction, and their competitive limbo has made boldness more attractive than inertia.
Whether that motivation ultimately results in action remains uncertain. Dallas may still decide no in-season framework justifies the financial and durability risks tied to Davis. But leaguewide, the perception is clear: if a serious push materializes, Atlanta is the suitor most driven to make it — and the one most willing to find out whether a win-now gamble can reset a drifting season.