The Atlanta Hawks are finally doing exactly what fans have been asking the franchise to do for the past four years. Pushing their chips to the center of the table and working to build around Trae Young a team capable of making a run in a wide-open Eastern Conference. With both Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton appearing done for the year, two of the East's top contenders are already off the board, opening up the chance for the Hawks to make a flurry of moves.
Among the latest roster decisions was a surprise trade of guard Kobe Bufkin to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for cash considerations. The move opens up a trade exception that the Hawks seem likely to utilize either in the next month or ahead of this year's trade deadline. The 2025-26 season is going to be all about attempting to make a run and put together a consistent season, pointing out the next Hawk who could be in trouble after Bufkin's surprise exit.
Hawks Depth Guard Keaton Wallace Could Potentially Be Upgraded Ahead of 2025-26 Season
With Bufkin gone, Keaton Wallace is the next likeliest name on the Hawks' chopping block.
Wallace showed flashes a season ago, being elevated into an unexpected role due to a myriad of injuries. He ended up playing 31 games (5 starts) in 2024-25, averaging 5.4 points, 2.6 assists, and 1.6 rebounds with .401/.329/1.000 shooting splits.
With the Hawks having championship aspirations, the unproven Wallace could be an easy toss-in when it comes to a potential deal. There is also the thought that Young could use upgraded depth to lean on in the upcoming season.
Consider what the Los Angeles Lakers just did bringing in Marcus Smart, or the Portland Trail Blazers bringing Jrue Holiday in from Boston. The value of a veteran guard to lean on off the bench cannot be understated. As valued as Dyson Daniels might be, the noted defender isn't a great distributor or going to create a lot of offense when Young needs to sit on the bench.
Right now, the Hawks are a collection of extremely talented young pieces who only have one proven guard, leading to the idea that Wallace could be the next piece out. If the Hawks want to fix this weakness and bring in someone a bit more proven to take a roster spot, they have an obvious decision to make.
Regardless, it is easy to get excited about what the Hawks have built in a season that finally feels as if there is a legitimate reason for optimism after the last four years of misery — even if Wallace doesn't end up sticking around for long.