What are the Atlanta Hawks going to do in the offseason? This seems like a very open-ended question right now, especially since the Hawks have various decisions to make. Not only does Atlanta own the first overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, which is scheduled for June 26, but they are also expected to re-assess their backcourt pairing of Dejounte Murray and Trae Young. Murray was a prominent name who appeared in various rumors ahead of the trade deadline. In addition to Murray and Young, the Hawks are also expected to discuss the futures of De'Andre Hunter and Clint Capela.
As of right now, the Hawks are eyeing three prospects in the NBA Draft: Alex Sarr, Zaccharie Risacher, and Donovan Clingan. Should the Hawks select Risacher and shock everyone, then Hunter's name suddenly becomes intriguing in trade talks due to the abundance of wing talent in Atlanta. In regards to Capela, he appears to be on his way out, with Sarr being the likely first overall pick in this year's draft.
Regardless of the Hawks' No. 1 pick, they are expected to make both Hunter and Capela available in trade discussions leading up to and past the NBA Draft, league sources told ClutchPoints. Atlanta is by no means a contending team in the Eastern Conference right now, and change is necessary this offseason. At this moment, the franchise is keeping all of its options open. Figuring out what kind of value Hunter and Capela hold on the trade market during an offseason in which there will be plenty of movement is not a bad idea by any means.
Every player in the league has a price. Right now, there is no telling what type of value the Hawks could get for players on their roster. Murray appears to be the player who could net the most assets in a trade, but does Atlanta actually want to deal the two-way guard since he was their most productive player this past season? The same can be said about Young, who has been the face of the franchise since he was drafted fifth overall in 2018.
While other teams in their position may elect to go through a rebuilding process, the Hawks are still of the mindset that they can be a legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference once more. Obviously, that is not the case with the way their roster is currently assembled, which is why general manager Landry Fields and Atlanta's front office are going to keep an open mind as they navigate through this re-tooling phase.
With the draft near and the Hawks also keeping the idea of cutting long-term costs in order to maintain a level of flexibility, here are three trades that the organization could consider making this offseason involving Capela and Hunter.
Brandon Ingram joins the Hawks
Atlanta Hawks receive: F Brandon Ingram, G Dyson Daniels, NOP 2028 1st Round Pick (Swap, Least favorable to ATL)
New Orleans Pelicans receive: F De'Andre Hunter, C Clint Capela, SAC 2025 1st Round Pick (via ATL, Top-12 protected), MIN 2025 2nd Round Pick (unprotected), LAC 2027 2nd Round Pick (via ATL, unprotected), ATL 2028 1st Round Pick (Swap, More favorable to NOP)
Much like the Hawks, the New Orleans Pelicans are going to be a busy team this offseason. Trajan Langdon jumped ship for the Detroit Pistons after being the general manager in New Orleans over the last several seasons, leaving David Griffin as the sole decision-maker in the Pels' front office. Brandon Ingram is entering the final year of his contract and has missed chunks of time each of the last few seasons due to injury. When he has been healthy, Ingram has generally been productive, but his upside in New Orleans is limited and he really struggled in the playoffs without Zion Williamson.
If there is any time for the Pelicans to move on from Ingram and revamp their roster around Williamson and CJ McCollum, now would be the opportune time. This is especially true seeing as the organization views Trey Murphy III as a potential All-Star talent on the wing. Murphy is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and it appears much more likely that NOLA will want to pay him over Ingram.
The market for a player like Ingram, who may not be ready to commit to a long-term contract with unrestricted free agency in 2025 staring him down, is very much unknown at this time. However, it is safe to assume that the Pelicans will be seeking a package similar to what the Toronto Raptors got at the trade deadline from the Indiana Pacers for Pascal Siakam, who was on an expiring contract. The Raptors landed Bruce Brown, Kira Lewis Jr., Jordan Nwora, two 2024 first-round picks, and a conditional 2026 first-round pick.
Although they have shown recent interest in Dejounte Murray and would likely demand him in a trade for Ingram, perhaps the Hawks could look to sway New Orleans' mind in a different direction. De'Andre Hunter and Clint Capela would immediately slide into the Pelicans' starting rotation. Capela could be valuable, with Jonas Valanciunas entering unrestricted free agency and likely to seek offers elsewhere. Already having Herb Jones as one of the best defensive players in the league, New Orleans would now add another versatile two-way forward who is looking for a better role offensively in Hunter.
The two key questions that present themselves in the trade package outline here are whether the Pelicans would seek more first-round draft compensation and if the Hawks would want to target a former All-Star in the final year of his contract. Bringing in Ingram to pair with Young and Murray, as well as the incoming first overall pick, could certainly stir the pot in the Eastern Conference. Then again, the Hawks would have done nothing to improve their long-term payroll problems. This would be a big risk for Atlanta to take without any long-term commitment from Ingram.
Mavericks add De'Andre Hunter
Atlanta Hawks receive: G Tim Hardaway Jr., G Josh Green, BOS 2024 2nd Round Pick (via DAL, Pick No. 58), TOR 2025 2nd Round Pick (via DAL, unprotected)
Dallas Mavericks receive: F De'Andre Hunter, G/F AJ Griffin
The Dallas Mavericks have had a magical season and are currently fighting against the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. When the offseason begins for the Mavs, they will be operating with a payroll that exceeds $170 million. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are set to make over $80 million combined next season, and this team won't have any ability to add impactful players in free agency. The good news for Dallas is that they have tradeable contracts with Tim Hardaway Jr. ($16.1 million), Maxi Kleber ($11 million), and Dwight Powell ($4 million) that could be leveraged at any point for a player with a similar contract.
Although they have been a great defensive team throughout the playoffs, the Mavericks are still lacking talent and defensive awareness on the wing. Adding shooting depth and a player like Hunter, who can guard virtually any position, gives the Mavs yet another weapon to utilize next to Doncic and Irving.
The best part about this trade from Dallas' perspective is they wouldn't be sacrificing much in terms of production. Hardaway has fallen out of the rotation in the playoffs, and Josh Green's athleticism would be replicated by Hunter on the wing. Not to mention, AJ Griffin is a recent first-round pick who presents scoring upside. Due to some injuries he has battled early on in his career, Griffin's role and future in Atlanta are certainly worth discussing this offseason.
Compared to other teams around the league, the Mavs may not have much to offer the Hawks in order to make a trade like this worthwhile. Dallas is certainly a team that Hunter could fit in with if Atlanta moves him this offseason, but this seems like a scenario that would likely involve one other team where the Hawks could either re-route Hardaway or gain more draft assets. Two second-round picks and two rotational players for Hunter and Griffin, two players with potential to grow, are not the best.
Thunder replace Josh Giddey
Atlanta Hawks receive: G/F Josh Giddey, F Ousmane Dieng, MIA 2025 1st Round Pick (via OKC, Lottery-Protected)
Oklahoma City Thunder receive: F De'Andre Hunter, G/F AJ Griffin
What do Sam Presti and the Oklahoma City Thunder have planned this offseason? After claiming the 1-seed in the Western Conference, it has become abundantly clear that the Thunder are no longer rebuilding. This is a team that has numerous future assets that they can offer up in trades during the offseason in order to fill the gaps around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has emerged as a legitimate MVP candidate.
There are questions being asked around the league about who will remain next to Gilgeous-Alexander in the long term. Chet Holmgren is not going anywhere, and the chances of Presti entertaining the idea of moving Jalen Williams are extremely slim. Between Luguentz Dort and Josh Giddey, it would make the most sense for Oklahoma City to move on from Giddey. He did not have the most productive season, and the Thunder are exceptionally high on Cason Wallace filling minutes both behind and next to Gilgeous-Alexander.
As he enters the final year of his rookie deal, now would be the best time for Oklahoma City to move Giddey for a productive wing who can complement Dort's defensive play. Hunter is a win-now player available on the trade market. At 26 years old, he lines up perfectly with the Thunder's current timeline since Gilgeous-Alexander is 25 and Williams is 23. The best part about going out and getting Hunter is the upside he brings as a two-way wing who could actually turn into a factor as a rebounder with the right team. Much like how Andrew Wiggins turned into a great two-way player when he went to the Golden State Warriors, we could see similar development with Hunter in Oklahoma City.
From the Hawks' perspective, they would be getting Giddey, who could be flipped for more assets, and a young player in Ousmane Dieng. The French forward is 6'10” and has shown flashes of his offensive potential in limited minutes early on in his career. Regardless of the first overall pick, the Hawks would be able to immediately create a lengthy frontcourt with the addition of Dieng next to Onyeka Okongwu and Jalen Johnson.
Across the board, this is a very fair trade for both teams.
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