An NBA trade idea sending Jalen Johnson and Zaccharie Risacher from the Atlanta Hawks to the Boston Celtics has been created.
NBA writer Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report created the following trade idea between the Hawks and Celtics:
Atlanta Hawks get: Jaylen Brown
Boston Celtics get: Jalen Johnson, Zaccharie Risacher, 2029 first-round pick (top-10 protected)
“The Hawks already picked up Kristaps Porziņģis from the Celtics’ yard sale this summer, as Boston’s new ownership has prioritized shedding salary and getting under the second apron,” Swartz wrote. “Both franchises clearly have different priorities for the 2025-26 season. The Hawks have improved their roster mightily around Trae Young, while the Celtics seem fine with waiting until 2026-27 to contend again with a more tax-friendly roster as Jayson Tatum recovers from a torn Achilles.”
The Celtics lost to the New York Knicks in the second round of the 2025 playoffs in six games, while the Hawks missed the playoffs.
Boston probably won’t be a title contender in 2025-26 since Tatum is recovering from a torn right Achilles tendon.
Johnson appeared in 36 games for the Hawks last season. He averaged 18.9 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.0 blocks while shooting 50.0% from the field, 31.2% from beyond the arc and 74.6% from the free-throw line.
Meanwhile, Risacher played in 75 games as a rookie. He averaged 12.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.5 blocks while shooting 45.8% from the field, 35.5% from beyond the arc and 71.1% from the free-throw line.
Johnson will make $30 million in 2025-26, while Risacher will make $13.2 million.
“Boston would still have a core of Derrick White, Anfernee Simons, Payton Pritchard, Johnson, Risacher, Sam Hauser and others to stay competitive with this year and would get Tatum back healthy the following season,” Swartz wrote.