Atlanta's small-ball movement this summer is defying the trend around the league - getting taller at each position.
While it will be an interesting experiment to kick off the year, the Hawks could easily pivot at the deadline by targeting a value-add down low on the Pacers' bench.
Jay Huff, known for his iconic shot-blocking abilities off the bench, as well as his masterful use of the reverse dunk (does he even know how to dunk the ball regularly?) has established himself as a staple of any successful bench.
In a mock trade that sees Atlanta acquire Huff, the Hawks are able to solve their most egregious problem area from last season - being burned down low.
Huff would immediately solve Atlanta's greatest weakness
The Hawks were absolutely abhorrent on the interior to open last season.
While the problem seemed to fade away as the wins piled up in March-April, the lingering issue may very well rear its ugly head to begin the 2026-2027 campaign - Atlanta is still strikingly small in the frontcourt.
Rostering defensive stoppers like Lu Dort, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, and even Kingston Flemings and Devin Carter may very well ease the defensive burden of Atlanta's undersized 5's, but it wouldn't hurt to bolster the ranks regardless.
Acquiring Huff would not only solve said issue, but the price would likely be cheap to boot. Huff is currently on a two year, $6M deal - perfect budget for the Pacers, and the Hawks if they were to show interest in acquiring the staunch shot swatter.
A deal that could interest both sides may send 2nd round picks and a bench creator to fill the shoes of an aging McConnell for the Pacers, as well as reuniting a pair of brothers - don't be surprised if Huff for Ryan Nembhard and picks materializes this coming spring.
Team success could turn the hypothetical trade into reality
While acquiring Huff is merely a nice idea on paper at present, two factors could materialize the deal rapidly between the two active front offices.
Indiana would likely only seek to part ways with Huff if they fail to play up to expecations to kick off the year, or if Ivica Zubac plays to the level Indiana's front office paid to acquire him for. A team playing Zubac for 36+ minutes a night wouldn't likely be interested in passing up a deal to shore up their depth in other areas.
Meanwhile, the Hawks would need to prove themselves in the opposite way - if they're not seriously contending leading up to February, Onsi Saleh would be wise to hit the sell button rather than send out more assets to remain a middling team in the East to close out the year. That said, Atlanta don't own their pick this year - tanking isn't an option.
Regardless of whether or not the cards fall the way they need to in order for the Hawks to be interested in acquiring Huff, Atlanta must prove themselves on the interior far more convincingly than last season in one way or another. Time will tell who steps up to the plate, or whom Onsi Saleh selects to fill the gap if the existing options fail to do so.
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