The Atlanta Hawks are in a position to make a big splash this offseason, but the question is whether or not they will. It appears that if such a move does come about, the 2025 NBA Draft is a prime window, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer for The Stein Line.
Atlanta owns picks Nos. 13 and 22, and they could look to package those in a deal to move up closer to the top five.
The Hawks have been linked to several center and even point guard options this offseason.
“Various sources have indicated that they do believe the Hawks will fall right in line with Oklahoma City, Orlando and Brooklyn as teams with multiple picks in the mid-to-late first round exploring various avenues to move up the draft board,” Fischer wrote on June 12.
“Rival teams have projected the Hawks as targeting big men with whatever draft slots they ultimately operate from. After years of dangling Clint Capela on the trade block, Capela is finally expected to depart Atlanta via free agency this season, sources say. So the Hawks appear poised to have an opening for a center.”
The Hawks potentially being in the market for a center – whether in the draft, free agency, or via trade – does not mean they are exploring starting options.
However, the existing link has been to a starting-caliber pivot.
The Hawks had an interest in Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner before his team made their run to the NBA Finals, which is expected to impact the pending unrestricted free agent’s availability.
They will have options to fill that void in free agency, though many of the proven options could opt to return to their current teams, which would leave the Hawks in a precarious spot.
That is why the draft seems like the most likely path to another center for Atlanta.
Draft & develop a prudent path for Hawks
The Hawks can determine if they land that player, will have them under team control for up to five years, counting restricted free agency, and can then focus their efforts elsewhere to upgrade their roster.
Of course, sitting 13th overall with their top pick, the Hawks are far from in total control. But free agency can be a double-edged sword.
Tying up money and time in one option exposes teams to ending up with nothing if rebuffed.
The Hawks must also determine what they want to do with Trae Young, who is extension-eligible this offseason and has a player option for 2026-27. For the Hawks, the decision on Young will serve as a referendum on just how close to competing they believe this group is.