This has not been the season Atlanta Hawks fans envisioned. Because of a slower start than fans hoped for, a big-time trade potentially looms. That trade, however, doesn't seem like it will involve either Jalen Johnson or the unprotected first-round pick the Hawks are owed from the New Orleans Pelicans in 2026. Phew!
NBA insider Marc Stein didn't mince words when talking about Johnson and the pick, which are potentially the Hawks' best tangible and hypothetical assets right now:
"Just to be clear once again: Jalen Johnson and the 2026 unprotected first-round pick that the Hawks acquired from New Orleans to set the Pelicans up to draft Derik Queen are widely presumed to be untouchables from Atlanta's perspective."
This is almost certainly the correct call. Even as the Hawks' skid continues (they have lost seven straight as of publication), they're set up pretty nicely for the future — with Johnson and that Pels pick potentially being the most important parts.
Hawks don't need to blow everything up right now
Jalen Johnson is this team's present and its future. Shutting down any trade rumors before they begin is the proper way to approach this deadline. In his fifth NBA season, Johnson is averaging 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists per game. Read that statline again. You know how many other guys are averaging 23/10/8? One. The best basketball player in the world, Nikola Jokic.
As for the pick, I am usually as pro-trading a pick as it comes. "Trade all the picks, they're not real" is pretty much my motto. But this pick is the exception to all rules. The Pelicans are currently last in the Western Conference and have the third-best odds to land the No. 1 pick in next year's draft, which would almost guarantee a franchise-altering player.
Despite the allure of Anthony Davis right now, this is the rare instance where the potential of what a pick could become is more promising than the current production of a star-level player. The Hawks also might not need to part with this pick to add a star. But if the decision is a win-now move that forces them to trade this pick, or no move at all... Staying steady is the right path forward.
Plus, it's not like this season is a total wash already. The Hawks look pretty rough right now, but they're 3.5 games out of the No. 6 seed in the East. I know asking Hawks fans to be patient is probably somewhat offensive, but there are still brighter days ahead, with Johnson and that draft pick (say your daily AJ Dybantsa prayer today, Hawks nation) potentially leading the charge. The front office making it clear that neither is on the trade block should bring some relief to Hawks fans.