The Atlanta Hawks are expected to explore all possible options ahead of the highly-anticipated 2026 NBA Draft.
Now, just one day away, the Hawks have already made multiple moves. If any team isn't going to be quiet in terms of movement on draft night, it's the Onsi Saleh-led Hawks. They're always looking to keep their many options open, and with a big-time looming decision set to be made regarding Jonathan Kuminga, they could use this upcoming draft to answer it.
They're not expected to take a forward at eight, but the possibility would certainly be welcomed if they completed a trade-back when their turn rolls around.
It's a better forward class than many are expecting it to be
A potential long-term Kuminga replacement, though, wouldn't be the top forward prospect outside of AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer. Nate Ament, while expected to be a top-ten pick, wouldn't give Atlanta that real second-unit forward boost they'll need to replace if they let Kuminga walk.
Who would fill that role perfectly, however, is Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg.
Both 23-years-old, Kuminga and Lendeborg are very similar as players, but there's a real argument that the rookie would be a more polished player from day one in the league. His readiness and experience are what ultimately landed him Big-Ten Player of the Year for the 2025-26 NCAA season.
He's one of the oldest players in the upcoming class, and while many view that as a potential downside, it could provide a sneaky advantage to a Hawks team just now looking to cement themselves as a consistent postseason contender.
They may be more incentivized to bring in players who directly fit into their current timeline, rather than wait two or three years for a 19-year-old prospect to develop into a serviceable rotation weapon. Lendeborg is the closest thing to a sure thing in Atlanta's expected draft range.
Lendeborg would give Atlanta an easy answer to their Kuminga decision
Now, that said, letting a talented, promising young forward in Kuminga walk, would be very difficult. However, if his anticipated payday is higher than what the Hawks are immediately willing to offer, they could bring in Lendeborg to match his services for much cheaper.
It would be one or the other for Atlanta. Instead of either picking up his expensive $24 million team option for the 2026-27 season or signing him to a costly long-term extension, their obvious answer could be looking right at them when they make their first selection on Tuesday night.
A trade-down for him, though, would be the likeliest route to bringing him in.
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