The Hawks tragically parted ways with their 2026 first-round pick in the Dejounte Murray deal with the San Antonio Spurs back in 2022.
Now, as the trade deadline approaches, wishful thinking doesn't exactly fix what Atlanta would like to have: the exclusive rights to their own 2026 pick in the calm before the storm of draft season.
The 2026 NBA Draft class has the potential to be one of the most ludicrously stacked – especially its star-studded top 5 – of all time. Loaded with big names such as AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer, and more, Atlanta is already in a solid place to land one of the young studs - but what if they could make their odds even higher?
San Antonio is looking like an absolute titan in the loaded Western Conference at present. Sitting in 2nd place with a young squad, the rumors linking their organization to superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo seem to have rumbled louder and louder as the season has progressed, recently reaching a crescendo as Giannis self-labeled himself as out for the next month (or more) in Milwaukee.
Ultimately, San Antonio is in a great place to be a buyer, and Milwaukee a seller. If the deal gets done, how can Atlanta benefit?
Hawks can act as a contract-absorber in a 3-team deal with the Bucks and Spurs
While the Anthony Davis trade fell through for Atlanta, the good news is that their books look free next season, with CJ McCollum and Kristaps Porzingis both set to expire. This, in turn, can act as a means for Milwaukee to immediately free up much-needed cap space if they so desire.
San Antonio would receive Giannis, plain and simple.
Milwaukee would receive a haul from San Antonio – multiple future first round picks, as well as young assets including Jeremy Sochan and Carter Bryant. Milwaukee would also receive expiring deals from Atlanta - Porzingis and McCollum, allowing them to have flexibility for the foreseeable future, and the potential of re-signing the vets to team-friendly deals long-term.
Atlanta would receive the long-term cap responsibilities – Kyle Kuzma from the Bucks, and Devin Vassell from the Spurs. Additionally, Kelly Olynyk would need to be moved from San Antonio to Atlanta to make the numbers work, though his deal is expiring. In turn, they also receive their pick back from San Antonio.
While taking on the financial responsibility of Devin Vassell – $27M through 2028-2029, as well as Kuzma's $20M through the end of next season – is not desirable, therein lies the trade-off. The cap space not used to acquire Anthony Davis is instead used to increase the chance of a top-5 pick.
In a dream scenario, the Hawks end up with two top-5 picks in next year's draft if this trade goes through – they still retain the rights to the Pelicans/Bucks pick in this deal, as well as gaining the ability to tank the rest of the season and have a shot at throwing their own pick into the mix.