The Atlanta Hawks traded Trae Young to the Washington Wizards in January, and they must find his replacement with the eighth overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Atlanta slipped one spot in the lottery as the Bulls jumped up, but this is Atlanta’s chance to get an impact lottery pick. The Hawks project to be in contention for years to come. Fans know finding a lead creator is never easy, so it is now or pay a hefty price in trade.
Young is a four-time All-Star, but it was time for Atlanta to move on. Executives around the NBA applauded Atlanta. It is never easy to move a franchise player, but building around Young was impossible. The Hawks have an exciting roster built around versatile wings. They are leaning into that identity, but need a lead creator to boost their offense.
There are eight elite prospects in this class. The Hawks won’t get their pick, but five through eight all project to be point guards with massive upside. Atlanta can’t bypass the one that falls into their lap. This is their shot to get Young’s replacement and keep building around their young core.
The Hawks have to find a Trae Young replacement in the 2026 NBA Draft
Atlanta finished the season with CJ McCollum playing point guard and Jalen Johnson running their offense. It got them to the playoffs, but the Knicks knocked them out in the first round. The Hawks need a lead creator to run the show, and McCollum isn’t a long-term answer. The veteran is 34 and only has a few years left as a starting-caliber option.
The ideal pick for Atlanta is Mikel Brown Jr. He struggled with a back injury this season, but was USA Basketball's Male Athlete of the Year in 2025 after helping his country win the Under-19 World Cup. He is the dynamic guard who can instantly replace Young and grow into Johnson’s co-star. The injury likely makes Brown Jr. available at eighth overall and could set up the perfect scenario.
Atlanta didn’t try to replace Ice Trae after the trade. They gave more responsibilities to Johnson, but knew the offense would have better flow with a by-committee approach. It worked during the regular season, but the need for a floor general became real in the playoffs. The Hawks can’t repeat that mistake. It is time to find their present and future point guard with this lottery pick.
Atlanta only has a lottery pick because they fleeced the Pelicans in the Derik Queen trade. New Orleans badly wanted the big man, so Atlanta let them move up ten spots in exchange for their 2026 first-round pick unprotected. When the Pelicans struggled, the Hawks capitalized.
Now, the Atlanta Hawks have to take full advantage. They can’t afford to take a wing or reach for a big man. The Hawks need to find their Trae Young replacement. If they don’t, Atlanta will have to dish out a superstar haul to get one on the trade market. That is something teams would love to avoid.
The 2026 draft is the time. The prospect will be available. It is on the Hawks to take advantage, even after falling one spot in Sunday’s lottery.
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