In 2024-25, the Atlanta Hawks were able to exceed expectations, as many people believed they got shafted in the Dejounte Murray deal. Yet, they were also disappointing, failing to reach the playoffs for the second straight year. Dissonance at its finest.
Obviously, turning a team into a championship-contender doesn’t happen overnight. Nonetheless, as Trae Young prepares for his eighth NBA season, excuses are running out. For everybody.
With that being said, there’s work to do. Here’s the plan.
2025 NBA Offseason: Hawks Master Plan
Draft
Atlanta has to ship their 2025 lottery pick to the San Antonio Spurs as part of the Murray trade. However, the Sacramento Kings will have to send their 2025 lottery pick to the Hawks. As Atlanta was projected to land the 14th overall pick and Sacramento was projected to get the 13th overall pick, it’s almost like nothing ever happened.
Additionally, the Hawks appear to have their starting lineup set —Young, Dyson Daniels, Zaccharie Risacher, Jalen Johnson, and Onyeka Okongwu. Until further notice, 3-and-D wing Terance Mann and stretch-forward Georges Niang will likely come off the bench. Mo Gueye, who stepped into a starting role late in the season, could as well.
Thus, Atlanta could choose one of several point guards, giving Young the backup it feels like he’s never had.
Oklahoma freshman Jeremiah Fears, Michigan State freshman Jase Richardson, and BYU freshman Egor Demin will likely all be in consideration. Fears is the most well-rounded, Demin is the most effective facilitator, and Richardson is far and away the best shooter of the bunch. Notably, Fears and Young will share an alma mater.
Saint-Quentin’s Nolan Traore, Valencia’s Sergio de Larrea, and Ratiopharm Ulm’s Ben Saraf could all be targets. Each of these guards are maestros with the ball in their hands. A 6-foot-6 playmaker who canned 47.2 percent of his 3s in 2024-25, de Larrea is an intriguing option. However, a floor general through and through, Traore’s long been a favorite of scouts.
Due to the team’s defensive struggles and emphasis on the 3-ball, Richardson sounds like the best option.
Free Agency
The Hawks’ main tools in free agency will be their $14.1 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception, $5.1 million bi-annual exception, and Bird Rights.
Using one of their exceptions, they could sign a veteran point guard even if they were to draft one. At a notoriously tough position, there’s no guarantee their rookie would hit the ground running. This should make players like Chris Paul (San Antonio Spurs), Dante Exum (Dallas Mavericks), and Tre Jones (Chicago Bulls) more attractive to the Hawks.
Because Niang is a defensive weak link, finding someone who could soak up his minutes would also be beneficial. 3-and-D forwards that should be on their shortlist are Taurean Prince (Milwaukee Bucks), Jake LaRavia (Sacramento Kings), and Guerschon Yabusele (Philadelphia 76ers). Prince teamed up with Hawks assistant general manager Kyle Korver in 2016-17; ironically, with the Hawks. In 2018-19, Young’s rookie season, Prince was on the roster as well.
Of note, Yabusele can also play center, which is one of the team’s more fluid positions. With that in mind, Atlanta may want a big man with better size behind Okongwu, who’s built like a small forward at 6-foot-8 and 235 pounds. Yabusele is also 6-foot-8, but 25 pounds heavier. The Hawks could also turn their attention to Steven Adams (Houston Rockets), a screen assist master at 6-foot-11 and 265 pounds.
The best course of action is to sign Prince with the veteran’s minimum, to sign Adams with the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, and to sign Exum with the bi-annual exception. Among their own free agents, the focus should be on retaining Larry Nance Jr., a multi-faceted forward-center and locker room leader.
Trade
If the Hawks want to accelerate their timeline, they could make a head-turning trade. Of course, they were interested in Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant as recently as Feb. 6.
That being said, Atlanta likely wants to keep Johnson out of the deal, making Okongwu their most valuable trade piece (aside from Young). Unfortunately, he’ll make just $15 million in 2025-26. However, combining his salary with that of Mann, Risacher, and Niang would allow them to trade for Durant, financially.
If they’re serious about moving him, New Orleans Pelicans cornerstone Zion Williamson is another player who the Hawks should consider trading for.
Atlanta may not be the ideal place for someone with his vices. On the court, his 3-ball needs work. Nevertheless, he’s a walking highlight reel who could be dangerous in a trio with Young and Johnson, particularly in transition. If the Hawks could acquire him without having to surrender Okongwu, a fluid defender who has worked diligently to extend his range, they would arguably have the NBA’s best young frontcourt.
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