The Hawks have the assets to make a major move. They ought to stay the course instead.
The Atlanta Hawks have arrived. There's no more uncertainty. The Hawks did not make a mistake by trading Trae Young. They do have the central components of their long-term core. This team is the envy of fanbases around the NBA.
Saturday's drubbing of a (Giannis) Antetokounmpo-less Bucks didn't solidify that fact. It was already established. The Hawks' 11-2 record after the All-Star break tells us all we need to know.
All they have to do now is ride that momentum into next season.
Let's not put the cart before the horse.
The Hawks could finish 2025-26 strong. They could even make a playoff run. That said, it's not especially likely.
That's not a knock on the team. It's the reality of having a mediocre first half of the season. If the season ended today, the Hawks would finish as the 8th seed. They're likely to climb, but they're probably too far behind the fourth-place Cleveland Cavaliers to usurp them for homecourt advantage.
With how Atlanta has been playing lately, the Hawks look like they could beat anyone. As true as that is, the road will be perilous as a lower seed. We'll see what happens.
It also doesn't matter much. Barring a total collapse, this will be a successful season for the Hawks. They'll have put themselves in a position to earn a comfortable homecourt advantage heading into next season's playoffs — unless they make a franchise-altering mistake.
That mistake would be an all-in consolidation trade for a superstar.
It's a temptation that taunts most up-and-coming teams. The Hawks could package a handful of their best young players and their upcoming Pelicans pick for a superstar. If that pick lands high enough, they should be able to make a competitive offer for anyone on the market.
It could be a franchise-altering mistake.
History suggests that letting a core gel when they've been this successful is the optimal way forward. The Hawks should let this group grow.
Anyone should agree that Jalen Johnson would be untouchable. Yet, even pairing Johnson with a comparable star could lead to long-term regrets. The Hawks have depth and a variety of skillsets. Why change anything substantive?
A smart free agent signing could help. Otherwise, the Hawks should draft the player they like the most and bring the same group back. With their post-All-Star break success, it'll be wise to ride their momentum into 2026-27 and see what this group can really do.
They should arrive in an even bigger way.