Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

The Hawks have built a flexible future without sacrificing the present

Originally posted on SportsTalkATL | By Chase Irle | Last updated Oct 21, 2025 1:22 PM ET

Sustained success in the NBA without multiple superstars has always been difficult to achieve. And with the way contracts and the salary cap are structured today, it’s harder than ever to roster multiple max-level players while still building a competent supporting cast. In many ways, maintaining long-term success in the modern NBA might be more challenging than it’s ever been, but the Hawks have done an impressive job this offseason positioning themselves to compete for years to come.

That continued Monday when the team announced a four-year, $100 million contract extension for Dyson Daniels. The reigning Most Improved Player has already established himself as one of the league’s premier perimeter defenders at just 22 years old, while also taking massive strides offensively last season, setting career highs across the board.

With Daniels now locked in, nearly every key member of Atlanta’s young core is secured for the foreseeable future — except for arguably the most important one. Trae Young holds a player option for next season, and most expect he’ll opt out. Many assumed the Hawks would aggressively look to extend him this summer, but the new front office appears to be doing things differently. They’re operating from a position of strength, refusing to bend over backward for any player.

Still, assuming a new deal between Young and the Hawks eventually gets done, here’s how their cap sheet projects heading into the 2026-2027 season.

Atlanta finances: 2026-27

The Hawks have done a really nice job improving the roster but also having the financial flexibility moving forward.

*The Daniels year 1 is a projection pic.twitter.com/QsUaqTMv3G

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) October 20, 2025

With Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kennard coming off the books, the Hawks could conceivably have their entire young core — along with Nickeil Alexander-Walker — locked up while still maintaining more than $40 million in cap space before hitting the luxury tax. They could spend even more if ownership were willing to dip into the tax, but that hasn’t been something they’ve shown much appetite for in the past.

There’s also a less optimistic but equally intriguing scenario. If things don’t go as planned with Trae Young and the Hawks decide against committing $50–60 million annually to keep him long term, Atlanta would have around $92 million in available space next offseason before reaching the tax threshold. Add to that the possibility of a top lottery pick from the unprotected 2026 first-rounder they acquired from the Pelicans, and the possible directions the Hawks could take next offseason are plentiful.

The flexibility Onsi Saleh has created in such a short time is nothing short of remarkable. It’s clear the Hawks made the right move in parting ways with Landry Fields and promoting from within. Now, they’ve positioned themselves with a real chance to emerge as a powerhouse in the Eastern Conference for years to come.

—