With the NBA offseason fast approaching, trade season is nearly upon us. The first domino of the Hawks' offseason fell last night in the form of the NBA Draft Lottery. Atlanta will be picking 13th in this year's draft—or maybe not. That pick could become a valuable trade chip to help acquire win-now talent and further build a contending roster around Trae Young.
Some much needed rim protection
With rumors swirling all season about Walker Kessler potentially being traded, Atlanta would be a perfect landing spot for the 23-year-old big man. Kessler is a dominant shot blocker, averaging 2.4 blocks per game over his three-year NBA career. This season, he finished second only to Victor Wembanyama in that category.
Kessler's impact on the glass also deserves recognition. He led the entire NBA in defensive rebounds per game with 4.6, putting him ahead of players like Domantas Sabonis, Rudy Gobert, and Ivica Zubac. The former first-round pick also ranked in the top five in total rebounds, averaging 12.2 per game.
Offensively, Kessler is solid—he excels as a screen-and-roll big—but his real value lies on the defensive end. Still on a rookie contract, he represents a cost-effective and impactful addition for the Hawks with his only 4.8 million dollar contract. He could help compensate for Onyeka Okongwu’s lack of size and defensive shortcomings.
The Hawks appear more than ready to move on from former 15th overall pick Kobe Bufkin. While Bufkin has shown flashes of potential, it's unlikely he’ll reach his ceiling in Atlanta. If the Hawks package him with a first-round pick, Danny Ainge might seriously consider pulling the trigger.
Veteran sharp shooter gets back to playing winning basketball
With the Atlanta Hawks entering win-now mode, one thing has become clear in the modern NBA: to succeed, you need to shoot the three at a high volume and with efficiency. Right now, Atlanta is lacking in that area—ranking 14th in threes made and 15th in attempts last season. And if the NBA has taught us anything, it's that you don’t want to be stuck in that awkward middle ground.
That’s where Cam Johnson and the Brooklyn Nets come in.
Brooklyn has made it known that they won't settle for lowball offers for Johnson—and rightfully so. This past season, the 29-year-old averaged a career-best 18.8 points per game while shooting an impressive 39% from three on 7.2 attempts per game. Johnson also brings valuable playoff experience, having made a trip to the NBA Finals in 2021 with the Phoenix Suns. He could provide real leadership and composure to a young Hawks roster.
Acquiring him wouldn’t come cheap. A realistic package would include two solid role players in Terance Mann and Georges Niang, along with the No. 13 overall pick in the draft. However, Brooklyn may be open to including one of their non-lottery picks in return, giving them another shot at lottery talent in a deep draft class.
Johnson would be a seamless fit in Atlanta—not just because of his shooting, but also due to his selfless playing style and team-first mentality. He’s the kind of guy who just wants to win, and would likely be comfortable coming off the bench if head coach Quin Snyder opted to start Zacharie Risacher.
Shutdown wing helps form deadly duo with Dyson Daniels
Despite the defensive emergence of Dyson Daniels, the Hawks still struggled collectively on that end of the floor, finishing 18th in the NBA in Defensive Rating. While Daniels is an elite on-ball defender with great instincts and versatility, he can’t carry an entire defense by himself. That’s where Herb Jones could make a major impact.
Jones, known as one of the most tenacious and intelligent defenders in the league, missed significant time last season due to injuries, spending much of the year on the bench in street clothes. However, during the 2023–24 season, he was instrumental in elevating the Pelicans to a top-six defense, ranking in the top 20 in Defensive Rating among players averaging 30 or more minutes per game. Simply put, he was the defensive anchor that held New Orleans together.
At 6'8" and 230 pounds with a nearly 7-foot wingspan, Jones possesses the physical tools and lateral quickness to guard all five positions. Whether switching onto guards, contesting wings, or battling bigs in the post, he brings elite defensive versatility—something Atlanta sorely lacks.
With the Pelicans potentially entering a retooling phase under newly appointed President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars, Jones may find himself as the odd man out. In that scenario, acquiring an additional lottery pick—such as Atlanta’s 13th overall—to pair with their own No. 7 pick could be an enticing way for New Orleans to add young talent and reset their roster. For the Hawks, bringing in Herb Jones would instantly upgrade their defense and help create a more balanced roster around Trae Young.