The Atlanta Hawks have just made a significant move, and there could be more coming before the February 5 trade deadline. According to one NBA Insider, their latest move is one that paves the way for them to acquire another star in the coming weeks.
Insider Reveals A Significant Trade Target For The Atlanta Hawks
The NBA’s trade deadline is just under a month away, and the first significant transaction involving a star has finally happened. The Hawks traded All-Star point guard Trae Young to the Washington Wizards in exchange for C.J McCollum and Corey Kispert.
This move not only serves as a restart button for a Hawks team that has failed to meet expectations, but it also provides them with financial flexibility. According to Shams Charania, it will allow them to make other moves in the trade market. That includes going after a star who has been linked to them in recent trade talks: Anthony Davis.
“Moving Young also provides Atlanta with added financial flexibility to pursue a large salary over the next several months,” Charania posted. “With Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis as a prime in-season trade target.”
Davis’ name keeps popping up in the rumor mill as a target for the Hawks. However, recent reports have indicated some hiccups.
The first one is that the Mavs want to acquire the Hawks’ 2026 unprotected first-round pick from the New Orleans Pelicans. The exact pick that Atlanta is reportedly considering untouchable in trade talks.
The other is that the Mavs want to keep Kyrie Irving as their point guard and have no use for Young. Therefore, the front office was not interested in acquiring the former Hawks guard in a deal. Things have now changed in this front, though, since Young’s contract is no longer on the table.
With Young out of the way, the Hawks can enter into new negotiations with the Mavs for Davis. Whether they have the right assets outside of the 2026 unprotected picks they can dangle in front of the Mavs remains the question, though.
What’s clear is that the Hawks have shifted their focus to a new potential franchise cornerstone. Jalen Johnson has emerged as someone with the makings of a star and is on pace to average career-highs in points, rebounds, and assists.
He’s also just 24 years old and is still refining his game, finding his footing, and establishing his identity. Being paired with a veteran like McCollum could help him ease into his role.
Should he eventually share the frontcourt with Davis, Johnson will also end up being mentored by a bona fide star with championship experience.