Barring truly disastrous developments, don’t expect the Atlanta Hawks to rush their path to their next championship window by making high-risk win-now moves. This includes an Anthony Davis trade, as recent reporting indicates the Hawks have waning interest in the 2020 NBA champion.
Just about every move new GM Onsi Saleh has made has had the long run in mind. Atlanta liquidated their expensive long-term contracts through trade or sign-and-trade: Trae Young, Terance Mann, and Clint Capela. The only contracts extending beyond this year that Saleh acquired were Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, and Corey Kispert. All three of these players are relatively young and on team-friendly deals.
This paints a clear picture. Saleh is positioning the Hawks to swing for the fences in the future, even if that means accepting temporary losses such as a downgrade from Young to CJ McCollum. The front office is not worried about winning this season; they are building the next generation of elite basketball in Atlanta.
The Hawks continue to emphasize caution this season
The national media loves making mock trades that send Davis to the Hawks, but Saleh has again pumped the brakes on any win-now moves. Davis is a questionable fit in Atlanta as a poor shooter who also carries a host of injury concerns. While he is still one of the best players in basketball, acquiring his three-year, $175 million contract is certainly a risk. To make matters worse, Davis is currently nursing a hand injury expected to sideline him for six weeks.
After initially refusing to fork over Zaccharie Risacher or the 2026 New Orleans Pick, Dallas’s demands in a trade package, the Hawks have taken yet another step away from a possible move. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported that “Hawks aren’t in a rush to make a deal happen with Davis hurt again.”
This shouldn’t come as a surprise given Saleh’s short record, but the news is welcome as ever. While the Hawks are on an ice-cold streak, there is no reason to rush the process.
The Pelicans gifted the Hawks a real chance at the top overall pick this season. As of Sunday, January 18th, the Pelicans hold the best lottery odds in the league. This means that, if the season ended today, Atlanta would be guaranteed a top-five pick this draft. With another chance to find their star, why would the Hawks risk trading for Davis if they draft, say, Cameron Boozer?