The Atlanta Hawks have shocked the basketball world by winning the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery. With a fresh wave of optimism and the No. 1 overall pick in their possession, the Hawks have a golden opportunity to reshape their roster and catapult themselves into contention. As they head into the offseason with dreams of a brighter future, the Hawks are poised to make significant moves to complement their young core. Here are three trade targets that could help Atlanta make the leap: Dyson Daniels, Julius Randle, and Brandon Ingram.
Reflecting on the Hawks' 2023 Season
The Hawks have talent on their roster, but the pieces don't fit well together. Last offseason, the Hawks faced a complicated financial situation, and that remains unchanged. Owner Tony Ressler has never paid the luxury tax, and it's highly unlikely he'll do so next season with the current lineup.
Throughout the season, there were few positives from a broader perspective. Nearly every player on the roster either maintained their performance level or saw a decline in value. This included key players like Trae Young, AJ Griffin, Kobe Bufkin, and Saddiq Bey. This was certainly not what the Hawks had envisioned for their first full campaign under head coach Quin Snyder.
Even the emergence of third-year forward Jalen Johnson came with caveats. The 22-year-old was limited to 56 games due to various injuries and will be eligible for a rookie scale extension this offseason. Negotiations for his contract will be complex. Johnson's high-level performance sample size is small, yet he seems to have more leverage than most players in similar situations.
Ultimately, the Hawks were never more than mediocre this past season. Perhaps they could have hovered around .500 with a bit more health. However, they didn't suffer from unusually bad injury luck. Slightly better on-court results might have been a worse outcome, for several reasons, than what actually transpired.
Here we will look at the three trade targets for the Atlanta Hawks in 2024 NBA offseason after winning the draft lottery.
Adding Dyson Daniels
The Atlanta Hawks need to prioritize acquiring wing-sized players with strong defensive skills who are much younger than Wesley Matthews. Trading both Dejounte Murray and Trae Young might signal a full-scale rebuild. However, the Hawks are unlikely to pursue that path unless they can recoup the first-round picks they sent to San Antonio in the Murray deal. Their timeline may not be immediate, but it is definitely short-term.
That said, Dyson Daniels fits into any plan the Hawks undertake. At 21 years old with two years left on his rookie contract, he aligns with long-term goals while also providing immediate benefits. His defense is already top-notch—intelligent, impactful, and disruptive—covering everyone from guards to bigger wings, and even some bigs, including Victor Wembanyama.
Convincing the New Orleans Pelicans to trade Daniels so early in his career will be challenging, though. The Pelicans already have Herbert Jones and Trey Murphy III and have more pressing needs. These include rim protection, versatility at the 5, shooting, and possibly a reliable floor general given Zion Williamson's health issues and Brandon Ingram's uncertain future.
The Hawks can offer solutions to these needs. Onyeka Okongwu has shown potential from the corner three and can improve the Pelicans' perimeter defense and rim protection. Bogdan Bogdanović could enhance New Orleans' spacing and three-point shooting without dominating the ball.
Moreover, the Hawks have primary playmakers in Murray and Young, who could attract the Pelicans if Ingram is not part of their long-term plans.
Trading for Brandon Ingram
Speaking of Brandon Ingram, he could fit smoothly into the Hawks' roster, especially in place of Murray. This deal would add about $25,000 to the Hawks' salary next season.
Ingram is entering the final year of his contract. This means the Hawks would need to either extend his contract or risk losing him in free agency. However, he fits well with Young (or Murray) and Johnson.
Pelicans general manager David Griffin emphasized the need for changes after their disappointing playoff exit. Ingram, on the final year of a five-year, $158.2 million contract, is eligible for a four-year, $208 million extension.
Ingram's addition to the Hawks would provide a seamless fit on the court and a potential game-changer in their quest to elevate their performance. However, the negotiations and subsequent salary cap implications will be complex.
Acquiring Julius Randle
Convincing the New York Knicks to trade Julius Randle might be difficult. Their combination of Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart has been strong. This is especially true in their series against the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Knicks were previously linked to Dejounte Murray but might be reluctant to trade a key contributor like Randle, risking the balance of their roster.
If they are open to it, the Hawks could gain a three-level scorer and another ball-handling option. Randle is in the third year of a four-year, $117.1 million contract with a $29.5 million player option for the 2025-26 season. The Hawks would take on a significant salary in this hypothetical deal, and the risk of Randle opting out remains a concern.
This was a similar concern for teams interested in Pascal Siakam before the Toronto Raptors traded him to the Indiana Pacers. The biggest worry for the Hawks might be the potential hindrance to Jalen Johnson’s development.
Looking Ahead
The Atlanta Hawks have a unique opportunity to reshape their roster and build a team capable of contending for championships. Winning the draft lottery is just the beginning; strategic trades for players like Dyson Daniels, Julius Randle, and Brandon Ingram could provide the necessary pieces to transform the Hawks into a powerhouse. Each of these players brings a different set of skills that address Atlanta's specific needs, from defense and versatility to scoring and playmaking.
Follow Us
Subscribe