The Atlanta Hawks have an excellent opportunity in front of them. The Eastern Conference will be wide open next season due to the unfortunate injuries surrounding the Bucks, Celtics, and Pacers. With the right offseason moves, the Hawks can be right near the top of the conference with a potential home-court advantage in the playoffs.
GM Onsi Saleh announced on Monday that the team has no interest in moving on from Trae Young. That means that the Hawks need to surround him with the right talent to win in the present. That will involve finding the right fits in free agency and the trade market.
Hawks Should Pursue Mark Williams of the Hornets
One of those players is center Mark Williams of the Charlotte Hornets. The Southeast Division rivals tried to move Williams at the 2025 trade deadline to the Lakers, but the move was rescinded. This suggests that they are ready to move on from Williams, and the Hawks would be wise to show interest.
Atlanta is likely losing longtime starter Clint Capela in free agency this summer. Capela's fit as a pick-and-roll partner and lob threat with Trae Young was excellent. Trading for Williams would be the perfect way to replace Capela with a younger, cheaper version.
The biggest question mark surrounding Williams is his health. His injury concerns were enough to make the Lakers second-guess the trade at the deadline, and the fact that the 23-year-old has only played in 106 games in three seasons is certainly worrisome. At the same time, this helps the Hawks land Williams in a bargain deal.
Williams is entering the final year of his rookie deal that will pay him $6.2 million next season. Atlanta can trade for him in exchange for a future first-round pick, a pick swap, and matching salary (maybe Georges Niang), and evaluate him for a season.
If he stays healthy, the Hawks would have an excellent center duo in Onyeka Okongwu and Williams and would be happy to sign him to a long-term extension. If he struggles to stay healthy, Atlanta could bring him back on a short-term, team-friendly deal or let him become a free agent.
Regardless, it is the type of high-risk, high-reward swing that the Hawks need to make to finally take a step forward in the Eastern Conference.