The Atlanta Hawks remain a competitive team in the Eastern Conference. Although they have fallen below .500, the Hawks are just 2.5 games back from the sixth-place team. With the new year approaching, Atlanta has a few decisions to make before the February 5th trade deadline. The one name on every team’s radar is Anthony Davis.
Trading for Davis is not going to be an easy task for any team. It will take a few young assets and draft picks to move the All-Star center out of Dallas. Still, the Hawks are a team with serious interest in Davis. With that in mind, Atlanta needs to seriously consider how much they are willing to give up for the big man.
Trae Young is the star in Atlanta. In a trade for Davis, it would only make sense to see his name thrown around. However, the Hawks may not have to give Young up in a trade for Davis. NBA insider Chris Haynes talked with NBA on Prime late Friday night about the potential Mavericks-Hawks trade.
“If a deal was able to materialize between the Hawks and Dallas Mavericks, I was told it would not involve Trae Young,” Haynes said on the Prime Nightcap show.
Acquiring Davis and keeping Young in Atlanta would be a win-win situation for the team.
What Would the Atlanta Hawks Have to Give Up?
Not having to give up Young in a trade for Davis would be massive for the Hawks. However, it means they will have to give up a lot more in terms of assets and draft picks. The Mavericks are more interested in younger players and picks.
“Dallas would likely want expiring deals, young assets, and picks,” Haynes said.
Now, Young’s contract is up after the 2026/27 season. But he is owed just under $50 million next year. Assuming there is no extension for Young, that is not a contract the Mavericks would want to take on for a year-and-a-half as they attempt a mini rebuild.
The Hawks have plenty of first-round picks to give up, though. Atlanta has done a great job retaining their picks for the coming seasons, including two in the first round in 2026. The team has retained their own pick from 2028 and beyond.
As for younger assets, the Hawks have one very interesting player that the Mavericks could be interested in. That is the former number one overall pick, Zaccharie Risacher. Per Haynes, a deal for Davis would most likely include Risacher.
Another interesting name in Atlanta is Asa Newell. His name has not been mentioned in any trade talks, but it would not be surprising to see the Mavericks interested in the 2025 first-round pick.
Newell has played in 22 of Atlanta’s 32 games this season, but is seeing just 10.3 minutes per game. In his short time on the court, Newell is shooting 57.3% from the floor and 50% from beyond the arc. Dallas could give him more chances to showcase his talents.
Anthony Davis Would Require an Extension
Davis is owed $54.1M this year and $58.4M next season. Taking on that kind of contract is expensive enough. The Hawks would have to dump some salary in the trade (perhaps Kristaps Porzingis), or have the Mavericks pick up part of Davis’ paycheck for the rest of 2025/26. No matter the case, Davis can make himself a free agent after the 2026/27 season with a player option.
No team, including Atlanta, will want to give up a plethora of assets for 18 months of Davis. His injury history is already a concern, but having him on a short-term basis makes trading for him very hard.
The team that acquires Davis will have to have some reassurance from the 32-year-old that he will be open to an extension. The Hawks have a lot of money on the books moving forward, but Davis will make them immediately better. If a deal is to get done, though, an extension would need to be Atlanta’s top priority.
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