It’s clear that change is needed in Atlanta after an incredibly disappointing start for the 2025-26 Atlanta Hawks. During the offseason, ESPN predicted they would finish the season with a 47-35 record, but that feels like wishful thinking as of December 31st.
As of New Year's, Trae Young and the Hawks finished December with a 3-11 record and finally snapped a seven-game losing streak, their longest of the season. It’s caused their descent down the Eastern Conference standings, placing them at the 10th seed with a 15-19 record. It’s put the franchise at a crossroads, and it’s clear that some difficult decisions need to be made.
Peeling back the layers, multiple issues with the team must be addressed by the trade deadline on February 5th. Starting with their massive hole in the interior defense. Kristaps Porzingis was expected to fill the gap, standing 7’2 and weighing 240 lbs. Unfortunately, his mystery illness has recurred, resulting in an eight-game absence for the Latvian star.
It’s made him expendable, especially with Onyeka Okongwu’s rise as a three-point marksman this season. Porzingis is on an expiring contract worth $30 million, so it will be easier to trade him to a losing team. Losing him would make the Hawks worse on paper, but it’ll help Onsi Saleh make a move in the future.
$30 million could be used for another quality center, and one of the best options available is Ivica Zubac. He is averaging 15.6 points and 10.6 rebounds after playing 28 games for the Los Angeles Clippers. The 28-year-old Croatian could be the key to unlocking the Hawks’ true potential, and he’s already signed to a team-friendly contract of $58 million.
Saleh and the front office have a litany of trade packages to bring Zubac to Atlanta. They have excellent draft capital with the New Orleans Pelicans, a developing Zaccharie Risacher, and a Star in Trae Young.
These three assets would be hard for any team to deny, especially the Clippers, who gave their 2026 pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the infamous Paul George trade. They’ve struggled in the Intuit Dome this season, sitting at the 13th seed with an 11-21 record.
It’s unclear where the franchise is headed with two stars in their mid to late 30s, so a draft pick is precisely what they need to hit the reset button. Losing Young in the package would rock the fanbase, but after the Hawks’ recent struggles, it seems more likely by the day.
Could This Be The End For Ice Trae?
Some of the sport’s most popular pundits believe this year will truly be Young’s final season in Atlanta.
Tim MacMahon of ESPN commented on the situation during an episode of the Hoop Collective on December 29th
“The Hawks certainly are indicating that they’re looking for the exit ramp when it comes to Trae Young; they did not make any attempt to get him signed to an extension,” Macmahon said. “ When that’s the case, and you’re the face of your franchise that sends a pretty clear message, the end could be near.”
The writing was on the wall during last summer’s free agency, and now that Jalen Johnson has “arrived," all signs point towards an exit.
The best way to utilize Trae’s value is to put him in a package, and the Hawks should replace him with a center if possible. Nickeil Alexander-Walker could easily slide in as their starting point guard after his stellar campaign thus far.
Nickeil integrated himself into the offense, and now he’s one of the Hawks’ top-3 options. At 27 years old, he is having a breakout season, averaging 20.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists. He is already signed to a four-year deal, so he can fill the position while Johnson is the primary playmaker for the foreseeable future.
First, they have to move Young, and that's where problems arise. At 6’1, not many teams will take a chance on a small guard, especially in the NBA’s modern era. Bontemps claimed that the Minnesota Timberwolves or the Dallas Mavericks could be a possibility, but Young’s contract makes it difficult.
If Atlanta aims for a star swap with the Mavericks for Anthony Davis, it will be a costly signing, even more than Trae. Signing an injury-prone player will take the franchise back to square one, so the key to Young’s trade is to find equal value in return for the 4x All-Star.
“[It sucks] especially if you’re a Trae Young fan, didn’t he lead the league in assists last year? The guy routinely puts up 20 & 10, so you’re saying ‘wait a minute, how can a guy who averages 20 & 10 at 27 years old, and you’re talking about there's not that much of a market for him?’,” Windhorst said. “ And I can understand why that's a hard sell, certainly to him [Trae]. His player option is $49 million. That is 30% of next year’s cap. We’ll see what happens with the rest of the season, but right now, him being out there is not helping them win, and you can’t have a guy making 30% of the cap who has that kind of effect.”