At 17 currently-rostered players, the Atlanta Hawks are going to have to get down to 15 somehow before the 2026-27 season begins.
While they could take the most common route of releasing two players into free agency, with the way President of Basketball Operations Onsi Saleh operates, many are expecting them to consolidate via an impactful trade or two.
Not just deals with the intent of getting rid of some of the roster in order to enter the year legally. Deals that would directly benefit the core.
In recent days, they've been linked to both Peyton Watson and Jarrett Allen - two of the most sought-after underrated weapons in the league. Their availability, however, is drastically different. For now.
Hawks' Allen interest is a no-brainer, considering their current needs
While Watson's been mentioned as a potential Hawks sign-and-trade candidate for much of the offseason, Allen is a new name.
In a recent late-night intel drop from Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, he noted that the Hawks "have indeed made their interest in Jarrett Allen known to Cleveland for some time," but Cleveland "has not entertained moving its starting center."
Nothing's impossible, especially in a modern NBA that celebrates movement of core pieces.
Cleveland has underwhelmed in the postseason for much of their new era - led by Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley - so it would make sense for them to potentially explore shaking things up even more after dealing Darius Garland before this last trade deadline.
They want an upgrade on the wing, whether starting or coming off the bench, and Kuminga would provide exactly that. Maybe there's a sign-and-trade scenario involving the two.
An athletic rim-running center with an All-Star appearance in his resume would fit right into what the Hawks are actively trying to build. Him joining Onyeka Okongwu would give Atlanta the best center unit in the NBA.
The more likely option would be adding Watson in free agency
It would also have to come via sign-and-trade, of course, as Watson remains in restricted free agency as one of the most intriguing targets left.
What he brings is simple, and it's clear to see why the Hawks are showing real interest.
He's an impressive defender at the wing, with quality positional size and a growing offensive arsenal. He would match Atlanta's current timeline perfectly, and if they can snag him and a reasonable price, it could age as one of the best overall moves of the summer.
Atlanta could trade for one of them in the coming weeks. Shoot, they could trade for both. Onsi Saleh's unpredictability does a good job at keeping fans and league personnel on their toes.
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