ESPN proposes wild Hawks trade for Anthony Davis

The Hawks are one of several teams that have rumored trade interest in Anthony Davis, and ESPN’s NBA insiders recently cooked up a wild five-team trade to send the All-Star big man and several contributing pieces to Atlanta.

ESPN’s Anthony Davis Trade Hypothetical

• Hawks Get: Anthony Davis, Jonothan Kuminga, Buddy Hield, Devin Carter
• Mavericks Get: Zach Lavine, 2026 first-round pick via Warriors, 2027 first-round pick via Hawks (least favorable NO/MIL)
• Kings Get: Trae Young, Luke Kennard
• Warriors Get: Kristaps Porzingis
• Pistons Get: Doug McDermott, cash considerations

This an absolutely bonkers trade, but it gives a good idea of how complicated a Hawks deal for Anthony Davis will be to make the money work. Let’s break it down from the Hawks perspective:

• Hawks Get: Anthony Davis, Jonothan Kuminga, Buddy Hield, Devin Carter
• Hawks Sent Out: Trae Young, Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kennard, 2027 first-round pick

The reality of the situation is that if the Hawks are going to land a high-priced trade target like Giannis Antetokounmpo or Anthony Davis, Trae Young almost certainly has to be moved to make the money work. That might be a gut punch for fans who’ve watched Young carry the franchise for the better part of a half-decade, but Atlanta’s decision not to extend him this offseason made one thing clear: the organization is not fully committed to him long-term. Their continued interest in blockbuster trade targets only reinforces that idea.

Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kennard are both expiring contracts the Hawks should have no issue parting with, especially if they are able to bring back another intriguing piece in Jonathan Kuminga. Kuminga would provide valuable depth and versatility at the forward spot and comes with a team option for the 2026–27 season, giving Atlanta additional flexibility as they shape the roster moving forward.

The 2027 first-round pick — top-four protected and the least favorable of Milwaukee or New Orleans — is likely the most difficult asset for the Hawks to give up. The Pelicans look poised to remain in the lottery for the foreseeable future, and if the Bucks trade Giannis, they would almost certainly join them. That selection could very easily turn into a top-ten pick, one that would help Atlanta continue to stack talent around an already young core.

Still, a player like Anthony Davis, when healthy, is enough to push the Hawks into the upper tier of the Eastern Conference. They would be legitimate contenders while still holding what could be the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s draft. If Atlanta can somehow navigate the logistics and get all sides on board, it’s the kind of move they would have to seriously consider.

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