Jalen Johnson’s All-NBA campaign and the emergence of players such as Onyeka Okongwu, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Vit Krejci have given the Atlanta Hawks a good problem. If you remove Trae Young and Kristaps Porzingis from the picture, there is an exciting young core and a potential major addition from the New Orleans 2026 first round draft pick.
Consequently, many fans are wondering if the best path forward for the franchise is to go all-in on the Jalen Johnson era by trading Young and Porzingis. The Oklahoma City Thunder traded Russell Westbrook and Paul George before their respective declines, and five years later, they were the best team in basketball. Why can’t the Hawks do the same?
There isn’t a trade that makes perfect sense for the Hawks (yet)
The problem with this path forward is that it just isn’t realistic. Atlanta has proven that the Johnson-led team is around a Play-In level, meaning they can’t tank like the Thunder could. Even more important, however, is the reality that the Hawks’ players need support from Young and Porzingis to reach their full potential.
Jalen Johnson has thrived with the increased touches after Young’s knee injury, but he isn’t a full-time offensive engine. Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been a wonderfully impressive creator and backup point guard, but he’s at his best when he’s not heavily relied upon. Even Dyson Daniels needs these players – how can Snyder create a good offense with Daniels on the floor if they swap Porzingis for a non-shooting five?
Perhaps the perfect swap will appear closer to the deadline. LaMelo Ball, among other stars, is quietly becoming more available on the trade block each day, and Anthony Davis could be an attractive target for the Hawks with the right return package. But as of late November, Atlanta would have to overpay for any swap that would both help the team and the development of their young stars.
And this is a good thing. Trae Young has devoted his career to Atlanta and is the high-usage star the squad needs to be competitive. There isn’t a better option at the five for a team starring Jalen Johnson than Porzingis when available (which might be more than you think; Porzingis has not had an injury of over 20 games since his ACL tear on the Knicks). For all of its flaws, the Hawks are fun, young, and promising.
This squad isn’t perfect, and Young and Porzingis present their own set of problems by virtue of being employed by the Hawks. But this team has the potential to compete in the East this year and for the foreseeable future with its current roster, and there isn’t a trade that doesn’t immediately tank the team's short or long-term outlook.