The Hawks are in the market for a problem-solver in the post. Per Marc Stein, Atlanta has been active in trade talks, hoping to add another big to their rotation.
After being outsized, outmatched, and outworked by the bigger, stronger, and more talented New York Knicks this postseason, Onsi Saleh and the Hawks' front office are very keen to address the very iceberg that sank their ship in April.
Having added two bigs in the 2026 NBA Draft already, how expensive of a cost are the Hawks willing to stomach to acquire an immediate upgrade down low?
Cheap pricetag, clean fit: Robert Williams III
Robert Williams III seems like the most seamless, easy fit to add to the existing frontcourt rotation in the A.
Having been vaguely linked to the Hawks earlier this summer amongst easy adds to a clear positional need, drafting Zuby Ejiofor and Henri Veesaar may be the sign that the Hawks are only hoping for a temporary upgrade that won't cost an arm and a leg.
A perfect trade framework for Atlanta would involve Corey Kispert and a bundle of 2nd-round picks to ship off to Portland. Having established the towering presence of Donovan Clingan as their full-time five over the course of last regular season (and bleeding into the playoffs against San Antonio in the first round), it seems likely the Blazers are keen to move on from the older Williams, especially with Yang Hansen waiting on the flank.
The Timelord would be a triple-down for the Hawks, insofar as their newest strategy amidst the drafting of Zuby Ejiofor - switchable, undersized bigs with the athleticism and defensive instincts to erase their deficits in other areas.
Having a big rotation of Williams, Okongwu, and Ejiofor would allow the Hawks to wreak havoc on opposing offenses, especially those that seek to create advantages through switches.
Hefty pricetag, god-like fit: Anthony Davis
A much bolder move for the Hawks to make at the center position: acquiring The Brow.
If the reports are true, Anthony Davis has grown disenchanted with the Wizards during his incredibly brief tenure with the organization. While Washington has made a plethora of plus moves since then, perhaps the small market isn't what Davis desires.
Especially given Washington's Trae Young extension, do they really have enough capital to also extend Davis to the rumored 3 year (near) max contract he's said to command?
If AD is available, the Hawks could throw together some assets - perhaps something similar to what Washington gave up in the first place, a few semi-valuable firsts, in addition to cap filler. The price wouldn't break the bank entirely for Atlanta, outside of one universal fear surrounding Davis.
AD's health has long been his core dilemma, and if his next team is to grant him his extension wish, he'll need to be healthy to be worth it. It's a huge "if", but a healthy Davis is a ticket to the NBA Finals for Atlanta.
Whatever route the Hawks decide to take at the five, there's really no wrong turn - so long as Onsi Saleh is as shrewd as ever with his assets set to be shipped out.
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