Fresh off a breakout season, the Atlanta Hawks must resist the urge to make a drastic change by pursuing a blockbuster trade.
The Atlanta Hawks are in a strong position. Sure, they were eliminated in the first round of the 2025-26 NBA playoffs. That's often perceived as a negative outcome for a team.
For these young Hawks, it's nothing to be concerned about.
If anything, the Hawks made progress this year. After moving Trae Young, they had to develop chemistry. Once they did, they were one of the hottest teams in the NBA for a significant stretch.
That's something to build on. The Hawks have a tremendous collection of young talent:
All they need to do heading into 2026-27 is make sure that remains the case.
Hawks must hang onto young core
When a team is in the Hawks' position, there's always a temptation to consolidate.
They've been linked to stars in the past. Some have earmarked Anthony Edwards for a future with his hometown squad. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been linked to the Hawks as well.
Neither should be on Atlanta's radar this summer.
When it comes to Edwards, that's less of a concern. There's no indication that the Minnesota Timberwolves are looking to move him anyway. By contrast, the Milwaukee Bucks are nearly certain to move Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Hawks should let someone else land him.
Question: How far is Jalen Johnson from Antetokounmpo? He's clearly not as good, but at 24, he's got room to grow. Nobody's suggesting he'll reach the former MVP's level, but he has the talent to be a perennial All-NBA player.
He's also years away from his non-rookie max contract. Johnson will be cheaper, which will improve the Hawks' ability to build around him. This organization should be viewing Johnson as their franchise player and asking themselves whether they have the right pieces around him.
Do they?
Hawks still have room to grow
If there's any question, it pertains to Dyson Daniels. Do he and Johnson have enough combined three-point shooting to co-exist?
It's a question, but it's not one the organization has to answer now. Another first-round exit could change that, but for the time being, Daniels' defensive playmaking is too valuable to prematurely part with.
The Hawks don't need to split their duo up, and there's no discernible major moves to otherwise make. They could move Zaccharie Risacher, but it's inconsequential either way. All the Hawks need to do is re-negotiate a team-friendly deal with CJ McCollum, and draft the best players they can with the two picks they have in the upcoming draft.
That will put them in an even stronger position.