The Atlanta Hawks have made plenty of big moves this summer to put themselves in a position to level up next season, and it all stems from the influence of Trae Young. The Hawks' superstar reportedly played a central role in helping recruit both Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard to Atlanta.
Neither Alexander-Walker and Kennard both come in as proven contributors who fill major needs for this roster. More importantly, they are being added at extremely team-friendly numbers. Kennard is set to earn $11 million this season, and Alexander-Walker’s three-year deal is manageable as well. For a team that desperately needed shooting, poise, and versatility off the bench, there may not have been a better pair to bring in than this one.
Trae Young's commitment to being more vocal in helping shape the direction of the roster seems to have come at the perfect time. As the Hawks begin this new chapter, it was crucial for Atlanta’s front office to build out the rotation around Young, especially in wake of rumors that he could leave town. The additions of Kennard and Alexander-Walker reflect a team trying to maximize spacing and secondary playmaking, which are two things that go hand in hand with what Young does best.
Young helped the Hawks get both NAW and Kennard
This is not a new trend in the NBA. We have seen plenty of franchise stars step into greater off-court influence in recent years, and it appears Young is doing the same. If this is the beginning of a more involved version of Trae Young, Atlanta could benefit in a number of ways going forward. Stars who help shape winning rosters tend to stick around longer.
And as for the depth chart? It's not hard to see where things are heading. With Young and Dyson Daniels starting, Kennard can slot in as a sixth man sharpshooter, while Alexander-Walker becomes a swiss army knife who can plug in at multiple positions. Both players can be trusted in playoff lineups, and that alone makes their additions worth far more than their contracts would suggest. Add in Porzingis as well, and we're talking about a potential NBA Finals team.
The Hawks may not be finished with moves just yet, but for now, they can thank their franchise cornerstone for helping deliver two players who make the roster better the moment they step on the floor.