The Hawks can focus on winning now or building for the future, but either way, it is probably best for Young to move on.
Trae Young is in limbo these days with a $49 million player option for next season, which the Hawks have some indirect control over.
No, they don't control the option, but their unwillingness to give him an extension allows them to pivot toward budding star Jalen Johnson, who has become the best player on the team.
In essence, the Hawks have to ask themselves whether Young is the worth the salary slot, or if they can use it in a more optimal manner, further dedicating themselves to Johnson and Dyson Daniels, who was the Most Improved Player last season.
The evolution of Nickeil Alexander-Walker isn't making the situation any easier, as he's broken out this season, averaging 20.3 points while acting as a defensive playmaker alongside Daniels.
So what should the Hawks do? Let’s break it down:
Identifying needs and building a plan
So, what type of player should the Hawks target, if Young should move on? And by all accounts, the Hawks are open to facilitate that process on their own.
The need for a point guard would still be present, yet the player will need significant off-ball capabilities to optimize floor spacing around Johnson.
Given the large contractual hold, it also allows Atlanta to seek improved bench depth, preferably prioritizing wing depth and 3-point shooting.
Could the Hawks make a play for Chicago's Ayo Dosunmu as a third guard, or lean into Naji Marshall from the Dallas Mavericks?
Both would be upgrades that could help push them into the postseason. It might appear as the Hawks are thinking small, and obviously the compensation level should far exceed both Dosunmu and Marshall, but the idea that Atlanta doesn't need a heliocentric floor leader remains a solid one.
Perhaps, then, it becomes a question of direction as opposed to identifying specific players.
Assuming Johnson, Alexander-Walker and Daniels are the current core, with the asset from the Pelicans pick being added to that pool, the Hawks could focus on the summer of 2026 and beyond, as opposed to chasing a playoff spot this year.
Would they instead be willing to flip Young for a number of expiring contracts and draft picks, kicking the can down the road a year?
It's a tough balance, especially considering how well Johnson and Alexander-Walker are performing this season.
But therein lies the potential sacrifice.
While there are no guarantees Alexander-Walker will ever have a season like this again, Johnson is sure to develop even further. If the Hawks identify the 2026 summer as their turning point, perhaps they'd be willing to risk Alexander-Walker's season as being a one-off and not capitalizing on it for the sake of the long-term vision.
Of course, that leaves some open-ended questions in regard to one of their youngsters.
The idea of moving off Zaccharie Risacher is weird
It has been reported the Hawks are open to moving off Zaccharie Risacher, last year's top draft pick, due to his lack of development.
First off, it's undeniably true that the 6-foot-9 wing hasn't developed further. If anything, he's regressed and is showing some concerning signs of being an NBA enigma.
(Risacher is grabbing just 2.9 rebounds per game, isn't a playmaker and maintains only modest scoring efficiency, but has the physical tools to keep teams enticed for probably a decade.)
Moving off Risacher makes sense if the Hawks are trying to win now. But realistically, any attempt to do so would be awkward if Young feels as though his exit is pending.
It'd be additionally awkward if they acquire a player like Anthony Davis, who they're apparently interested in, and he becomes unavailable due to immediate injuries — which is something they need to take into account given his history.
Finally, relinquishing Risacher in a trade when his value is arguably at its lowest is never a smart business move.
You don't buy at $9, sell at $4.25 and consider yourself a winner.
His situation might be frustrating for the Hawks, but if they choose to go the long-term route, they have far more incentive to hang onto him, at least until summer.
Risacher can work with Johnson, and he should be able to work with a new super rookie, if Atlanta ends up landing a high pick via New Orleans.
There simply shouldn't be a rush to push Risacher out the door.
Which direction should the Hawks choose?
It's easy to stand outside the window and make calls on the behalf of others, but logic dictates patience.
Johnson turned 24 just 11 days ago, so there's a bit of runway here to build something without wasting his prime years.
Moving off Young and shopping him to teams in dire need of a star might be the right call, as long as Atlanta secures either young players with a few years left on their rookie deals, or draft equity as part of the compensation package.
Given that Atlanta is enjoying great contractual value from Alexander-Walker and Onyeka Okongwu (the duo earns just $30.1 million this year, combining for over 36 points and 10 rebounds per game), they're also not in any rush to pivot off them.
In fact, the Hawks have somewhat clean books, a stable situation in regard to young players and a valuable incoming pick in a strong draft.
If that isn't enough incentive to at least explore the long-term outlook this summer, nothing is.
Category: General Sports
