The Atlanta Hawks have a loaded roster.
After their first-round defeat to the eventual-champion New York Knicks, they've made several necessary adjustments in pursuit of a deeper run next season. With improvement in today's NBA, however, comes sacrifice. There's no way around it. Organizations are more limited in their freedom to operate than ever.
Currently at 17-rostered guys - not including their three two-ways - Atlanta needs to get down to 15 before the season can begin. One way or another. The issue, though, is that none of their players are just taking up space; they're expected to contribute.
Depth is important, but doubling and tripling down on it could always come with an unexpected departure.
Mo Gueye - a fan-favorite - could soon become a real candidate to leave
This one would suck, but it's time to get realistic.
As spectacular as Gueye is on the defensive end, he's still very much a work in progress. The Hawks brought in three rookies on standard deals. None of them are getting cut. They're also going to take some time to develop. Obviously.
There's plenty of other avenues they could take in order to get down to 15 - such as trading away sharpshooter Corey Kispert or veteran Buddy Hield - but their contracts are limiting their league-wide interest.
In order for a trade to go through, both sides have to agree on a deal. There aren't many teams who have the financial freedom, or truly any incentive, to take on the short-term deals of Kispert or Hield.
What they are interested in, though, are young players who make next to nothing.
Gueye could have a real trade market, and where they currently stand, the Hawks would be silly not to explore it.
Set to make just $2.4 million for the 2026-27 season, hitting free agency the summer after, there likely would be suitors willing to offer a handful of second-round picks, or even a first, in return.
They also could end up just releasing Gueye's expiring salary
If no deal that ends up materializing, Atlanta would face little-to-no financial penalty for just cutting Gueye.
Releasing him, along with one of the newly-acquired point guards - Devin Carter or Ryan Nembhard - would put the Hawks at 15.
This wouldn't mean they'd be done for the summer, either, as Jonathan Kuminga remains a free agent. Whatever happens with him could heavily impact who the Hawks end up getting rid of.
Hawks fans don't want to see Mo Gueye leave, but it's a business, after all.
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