The Atlanta Hawks shook things up quite a bit with their three-team trade that landed Kristaps Porzingis from the Boston Celtics, but there is a snag of sorts.
The Hawks will send Terance Mann, as speculated, and the No. 22 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft to the Brooklyn Nets and a future second-round pick to the Celtics. In return, the Hawks receive Porzingis, who turned 30 in February, and a second-round pick.
However, do not expect the deal to be officially announced just yet.
“Because Brooklyn will be acquiring Mann with cap space, this trade cannot be finalized until July 6,” ESPN’s Bobby Marks, who spent two decades in the Nets’ front office, posted on X on June 24.
Of course, this appears to be a mere formality, with “Locked On Hawks” Brad Rowland noting the deal is not yet done but is expected to be.
July 6 is the date that teams can officially sign free agents to new contracts.
Hawks make a big move before offseason
For the Hawks, this deal will undoubtedly have significant implications for the rest of the roster, but it is clear Atlanta, led by new general manager Onsi Saleh, is looking to compete in an Eastern Conference that is weakened thanks largely to the Celtics.
Boston will be without Jayson Tatum for the bulk, if not all, of the 2025-26 season. They are also facing significant luxury tax implications. The Celtics already traded Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers for Anthony Simons and draft capital.
Moreover, the East champs, the Indiana Pacers, will not have Tyrese Haliburton next season.
Like Tatum and Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard, Hailburton tore his Achilles during the 2025 playoffs, an injury that takes a year to return from and even longer to be 100% after.
The Hawks were poised to make a move up in the East before the trade, but they are uniquely armed to do so now, so long as they keep Porzingis on the floor. They were in the hunt for a top-five seed late into the regular season.
The Hawks also have several young wing players to help make life easier for the pivots, with Dyson Daniels and Zaccharie Risacher both gaining valuable experience last season.
Jalen Johnson should return to full healthy, giving the Hawks another dynamic player.
The Hawks have missed the postseason in back-to-back seasons for the first time 2018-2019 and 2019-2020, and they have been in the Play-In Tournament for four straight years. They are clearly looking to change the status quo this coming season.