It appears the Atlanta Hawks have their eye on another star to put next to Kristaps Porzingis and Trae Young next season.
The Atlanta Hawks shocked the NBA world when they made a move for Kristaps Porzingis yesterday. In a three-team trade with the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets, the Hawks found their next starting center.
The Hawks weren’t leading candidates to land Porzingis, which is what made the trade so surprising to NBA fans.
In exchange for Porzingis, the Hawks gave up Terance Mann, their #22 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and a future second-round pick.
That price might seem like a lot, but the Hawks feel that Porzingis can help them compete for a championship.
But they have their eye on another addition in the free agent market, as a Minnesota Timberwolves player is on their radar.
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesAtlanta Hawks looking to sign Nickeil Alexander-Walker in free agency
According to Jake Fischer, the Atlanta Hawks are looking to use their $25 million trade exception from the Dejounte Murray trade this summer.
The Hawks are eyeing Nickeil Alexander-Walker in a sign-and-trade deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
If the Timberwolves prioritize re-signing Julius Randle and Naz Reid, the Hawks will capitalize on their limited cap space to land the guard.
“Remember when The Stein Line reported last week that the Hawks were determined to make use of their $25 million trade exception that still lingers from last summer’s Dejounte Murray trade?
“That doesn’t change with the Porzingis trade.
“Word is that the Hawks, at roughly $30 million below the luxury-tax line, are expected to register interest in a sign-and-trade deal with Minnesota to try to acquire Nickeil Alexander-Walker…
“In the event that the Timberwolves, in their quest to re-sign Julius Randle and Naz Reid, run out of the flexibility needed to re-sign Alexander-Walker.”
Trae Young could get most competitive roster yet next season
Should the Atlanta Hawks land Nickeil Alexander-Walker this offseason, the Atlanta Hawks would become one of the strongest teams in the Eastern Conference.
With an All-Star point guard in Trae Young, all the Hawks really needed were players around him who could play defense at a high level.
Dyson Daniels was the Most Improved Player this past season and a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year, while Zaccharie Risacher proved to be an effective 3-and-D wing.
Now, with the addition of Porzingis, the Hawks have a center who can rim protect well. But Porzingis is an upgrade on Clint Capela because of his ability to play a stretch five role.
If the Hawks then land Alexander-Walker in free agency, they will have four solid defenders on the team. This puts Trae in a great position to focus on playmaking and distributing the ball, as the rest of the side carries the defensive load.