As December has progressed, struggles have put the Atlanta Hawks in a position where league observers believe the organization may be more willing to explore a significant trade to change the trajectory of its season, sources tell DallasHoopsJournal.com. Among the scenarios that continue to surface in league conversations is Atlanta’s ability to assemble one of the more competitive offers for Anthony Davis, should the Hawks decide to pursue a major shake-up.
Atlanta has been monitored in league circles for much of the year as a potential pivot point, but the pressure has built gradually rather than abruptly. Earlier stretches without Trae Young did not force the front office into action, as the Hawks remained competitive enough to justify patience.
December’s underachieving results, however, have tightened that margin. Atlanta is 2–9 this month, tied with the Indiana Pacers for the league’s worst record in this period, a stretch that has increased outside belief that the Hawks may need to act more aggressively to reset momentum.
That pressure was reinforced Friday night in a 126–111 loss to the Miami Heat, when defensive lapses and 21 turnovers again undermined an otherwise productive night from Young and Jalen Johnson. Averaging 23.8 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 8.3 assists, Johnson has been atop a short list of bright spots for Atlanta this season, but the rest of the roster will need clarity soon.
Recent Atlanta Hawks Investments Are Not Paying Off
Availability remains a key factor in how rival teams evaluate Atlanta’s direction. Kristaps Porziņģis has played in just 13 games while continuing to manage POTS, limiting the Hawks’ ability to properly evaluate their ceiling. Combined with growing uncertainty around internal development timelines, that lack of clarity has sharpened conversations around whether continuity alone is sufficient.
Those development questions have been most visible with Zaccharie Risacher. Through 29 games this season, Risacher is averaging 10.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists, down from 12.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 75 games during his 2024–25 rookie season. Instead of a second-year leap, the statistical dip has become part of how opposing teams frame Atlanta’s short-term uncertainty.
Another recent draft investment that has not factored in prominently of late is Asa Newell. A former Montverde Academy teammate of Cooper Flagg, Newell played one season at Georgia before being selected No. 23 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. He was acquired by Atlanta on draft night in a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans, with the Hawks receiving Newell and a future first-round pick in exchange for the No. 13 pick, Derik Queen, whom New Orleans selected.
Newell’s limited role has been reflected in his production. He is averaging 5.2 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 0.5 assists in 22 games, playing 10.5 minutes per game, further underscoring how little Atlanta has been able to evaluate his long-term fit at this stage of the season.
There is also context surrounding Luke Kennard, whose situation factors into Atlanta’s broader flexibility. Kennard is averaging 6.8 points, 2.2 assists, and 1.9 rebounds in 28 games while shooting 42.4% from three-point range. He is playing on a one-year, $11 million contract signed in July 2025, an expiring deal that gives Atlanta optionality.
While Kennard has been efficient as a floor spacer, his overall impact has been limited, positioning him as either a movable contract at the deadline or a potential free agent again next summer.
Why the Atlanta Hawks Remain Central to Anthony Davis Talks
Throughout the process, Atlanta has consistently been viewed by league executives as one of the teams with the potential to assemble the strongest trade offer for Davis. That belief is driven largely by clean salary mechanics and expiring contracts rather than confirmed intent.
Atlanta can construct near-perfect salary alignment by combining Porziņģis’ $30.7 million expiring contract, Kennard at $11.0 million, and Risacher’s $13.1 million salary, totaling $54.9 million—nearly identical to Davis’ $54.1 million salary this season. Structurally, few teams can match that level of simplicity without third-team involvement.
However, sources tell DallasHoopsJournal.com that trade value considerations remain significant. Davis has averaged 20.5 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 16 games this season, but availability continues to factor heavily into league evaluations.
The Mavericks are 4–12 in games Davis has missed this season, and he also started two games he did not finish through the first half before being ruled out for the remainder of the night, further complicating how teams assess both short-term impact and long-term reliability. Dallas has gone 11-29 without Davis since trading for him in February, while going 15-12 when he plays, including the play-in tournament.
Anthony Davis’ Availability Remains Under the Microscope
That context has been reinforced this week. Davis is questionable for Saturday’s game against the Sacramento Kings due to right adductor soreness following Thursday’s 126–116 loss to the Golden State Warriors, but the injury does not carry long-term concern, sources tell DallasHoopsJournal.com. He exited that Christmas Day game late in the second quarter with Dallas trailing 40–36 and did not return.
The injury is not believed to carry long-term concern, and the Mavericks are expected to continue taking a cautious approach as they monitor his recovery. Dallas did not hold a practice Friday before facing the Kings on Saturday and the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday to conclude the road trip, with frequent evaluations expected to guide next steps.
Financial considerations remain equally significant. Davis is earning $54.1 million this season, $58.5 million in 2026–27, and holds a $62.8 million player option the following year. He will also be eligible for a four-year, $275 million maximum extension in August, adding another layer of complexity to any potential deal.
Those factors have kept discussions largely theoretical rather than actionable. Teams continue to view Atlanta as capable of making arguably the best offer on paper, but interest level—both in assuming long-term risk and committing to a massive extension—remains the defining variable.
Dallas Mavericks’ Long-Term Direction Shapes Trade Landscape
Leaguewide, the Hawks continue to be a team to watch, with December’s struggles increasing attention on whether the organization could become more aggressive in exploring options to stabilize the season and clarify its direction. That posture is also shaped by Dallas’ broader organizational focus.
Sources point to the Mavericks’ emphasis on building around Cooper Flagg, whose continued development has become central to how the franchise evaluates roster decisions. Flagg has averaged 19.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 31 games this season, with his recent play reflecting steady growth. Over his last 10 games, he is averaging 24.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists, production that has reinforced Dallas’ internal confidence in his trajectory as a foundational piece.
That focus helps explain why the Mavericks’ approach to potential moves involving Davis has remained measured. Any significant roster decision is viewed through the lens of maintaining flexibility and alignment around Flagg’s development, rather than reshaping the roster in ways that could complicate that timeline, including Davis’ future or a potential trade.
One area of clarity, sources tell DallasHoopsJournal.com, is that Young continues not to be viewed as a trade fit for Dallas. The Mavericks’ long-term planning around Kyrie Irving has effectively removed Young from realistic consideration in that context, keeping any potential framework centered on salary structure, expiring contracts, and future flexibility rather than star-for-star alignment.
Leaguewide, the Hawks remain a team to monitor closely as December winds down and pressure continues to build around whether patience remains viable or whether a significant move becomes necessary to reset the season.
Latest Dallas Mavericks News & NBA Rumors