The Atlanta Hawks are looking to take that next step with Trae Young. Their run to the conference finals in 2021 had fans believing they were close, but back-to-back first-round exits gave the front office a reason to shake things up. The Hawks sent out a massive haul to land Dejounte Murray and have locked him long-term as Ice Trae’s co-star. What other pieces does Atlanta need to become legit contenders?
The Pascal Siakam trade rumors have supporters dreaming of a third star coming to Hotlanta, but the Hawks have to be willing to pay a monster price.
They still owe two first-round draft picks and one swap to the Spurs from the Murray trade. That likely takes them out of the running for a superstar, but several difference-makers could hit the trade market this season. Who can the Hawks add?
3rd stars Atlanta Hawks could acquire this season
5. Karl-Anthony Towns
The Timberwolves are questioning if the Towns and Rudy Gobert pairing works in the frontcourt as Anthony Edwards ascends. Minnesota has a talented roster, but do the pieces fit to make a legit title contender? If the answer is no, Towns is the most likely player to be moved. Gobert stays because they cannot get back what they paid, and Edwards looks like he is becoming a superstar.
KAT is a three-time All-Star that averages 23.0 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.3 blocks in 34.1 minutes per game for his career. The 6’11 big man has shot 39.5 percent 3-point range and his unique skill set makes him one of the league’s toughest covers.
Fitting Towns next to Trae Young and Dejounte Murray is not perfect. They would be one of the best offensive trios in the NBA, but KAT struggles to defend in space. Getting Young and Towns as the two defenders involved in a pick-and-roll might be an automatic bucket for the opposition. The Atlanta Hawks would have to rely on winning shootouts, which is always easier said than done.
Trading for Karl-Anthony Towns would mean dumping Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu, which seems unlikely. Can Atlanta find a better fit?