The Atlanta Hawks face a crucial offseason that was made trickier by the NBA’s new CBA. The addition of the second tax apron has thrown a wrench into the plans of multiple teams, including the Hawks, because exceeding it limits roster flexibility. Atlanta is just $4.7 million below the line but must improve their roster after back-to-back first-round playoff exits.
Atlanta’s coaching and front office shakeups lead fans to believe changes are coming this summer. Trae Young is staying put, but the rest of the roster could be available for the right price. The Hawks could look to shed salary as they revamp around the two-time All-Star.
Who would Atlanta trade away? Is anyone else untouchable on their roster? Atlanta is likely searching for defensive help, especially on the wing. Who would the Hawks prefer to send out?
Ranking Atlanta Hawks from least to most likely to be traded to shed salary
Untouchables: Trae Young, A.J. Griffin, Jalen Johnson
Young is obvious. Teams do not trade a 24-year-old two-time All-Star unless they are getting a massive haul in return. Young’s defensive concerns will keep Atlanta from finding that package. He is the team’s offensive engine and a crucial part of their success.
The Hawks are not trading A.J. Griffin or Jalen Johnson as both are on rookie contracts and have multiple years of team control remaining. Atlanta needs those smaller salaries on their books to keep their costs down, and the franchise is hoping both blossom into key contributors moving forward.
Bruno Fernando, Garrison Matthews, Vit Krejci, and Tyrese Martin are all on non-guaranteed deals and could be released this summer to create room or brought back on cheap contracts. The other seven players under contract are all candidates to be traded if the Atlanta Hawks need to shed salary.