{"id":576894,"date":"2026-02-02T08:14:39","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T08:14:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/576894\/"},"modified":"2026-02-02T08:14:39","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T08:14:39","slug":"hawks-can-go-2-ways-before-the-nba-trade-deadline-hits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/576894\/","title":{"rendered":"Hawks Can Go 2 Ways Before the NBA Trade Deadline Hits"},"content":{"rendered":"

We are officially less than a week away from the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline. The Atlanta Hawks already made one big move<\/a>, sending Trae Young<\/a> to the Washington Wizards for CJ McCollum<\/a> and Corey Kispert<\/a>. This trade gives Atlanta more financial flexibility this summer, as the star guard has a $49 million player option for next season.<\/p>\n

The Young trade gave the NBA world a glimpse into the Hawks\u2019 future plans. The Hawks want to continue building around emerging star Jalen Johnson<\/a>, but they already have a young core in Dyson Daniels<\/a>, Zaccharie Risacher<\/a>, and Onyeka Okongwu<\/a>. Atlanta could use the deadline to position itself for the future or make a splash move to accelerate its path back to championship contention.<\/p>\n

Hawks Can Go 2 Ways Before the NBA Trade Deadline Hits
\nMake a Big Splash for Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/p>\n

The NBA world remains on its toes to see whether Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/a> will remain on the Milwaukee Bucks after this week. ESPN\u2019s Shams Charania reported the superstar forward \u201cis ready for a new home at the Feb. 5 trade deadline.\u201d Many teams will have competitive offers at the ready, but Atlanta could offer both young talent and multiple high-value draft picks for Antetokounmpo.<\/p>\n

Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is ready for a new home at the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline or in the offseason as several rival teams make aggressive offers to the Milwaukee Bucks for him, and the franchise is starting to listen, league sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com\/OejatbQjDy<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The Hawks own the better of the Bucks\u2019 or New Orleans Pelicans\u2019 2026 first-round pick. Both teams look like they are headed to the lottery. With Darryn Peterson<\/a>, AJ Dybantsa<\/a>, and Cam Boozer<\/a> leading a loaded draft class, the Bucks might value a chance to bring in a potential franchise-altering piece. Atlanta also owns its 2029, 2030, 2031, and 2032 first-round selections.<\/p>\n

Any potential Antetokounmpo deal likely involves the 2024 first overall pick, Zaccharie Risacher<\/a>, as well as Kristaps Porzi\u0146\u0123is<\/a>\u2018 expiring contract to make the money work. Risacher has not taken big steps offensively in his sophomore campaign. He averaged 12.6 points last season but dropped to 11.1 this season. Johnson and Okongwu\u2019s three-point shooting leaps<\/a> mitigate the spacing concerns if Atlanta acquires Antetokounmpo.<\/p>\n

General manager Onsi Saleh must weigh the cost of giving up too much future flexibility for the nine-time All-Star. The Hawks would also need assurance from Antetokounmpo that he would sign a contract extension. He has two more seasons left on his $175.4 million contract extension, including a $62.8 million player option for the 2027-28 campaign. Antetokounmpo likely boosts the Hawks into championship-contending status, but they must determine if they are ready to go all-in.<\/p>\n

Stay the Course and Build Out Their Young Core<\/p>\n

Entering training camp, Hawks head coach Quin Snyder said they were the third-youngest team in the league by average age. McCollum and Porzi\u0146\u0123is\u00a0remain the only players above 30 years old after the Young trade. Outside of 27-year-old Nickeil Alexander-Walker<\/a>, every player in their future core is 25 or younger. Atlanta can potentially add a top prospect from this year\u2019s draft to its collection of talent with the Pelicans\/Bucks pick. Peterson, Dybantsa, and Boozer all have star upside in the top three of the 2026 draft class.<\/p>\n

Saleh used the term \u201coptionality\u201d throughout last summer, as he prioritized roster and cap flexibility. An Antetokounmpo trade locks Atlanta onto a certain path, while continuing to build organically gives it more options. The majority of the Hawks\u2019 young core still needs playoff experience as well, which could prevent Saleh from pulling the trigger on an Antetokounmpo trade.<\/p>\n

\u00a9 Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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