Trae Young trade makes it easier for Hawks to get Anthony Davis

Trae Young. Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

How trading Trae Young to Wizards makes it easier for Hawks to acquire Anthony Davis

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jan 8, 2026 2:50 PM ET

The Atlanta Hawks may be one step closer to acquiring Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis.

After weeks of speculation, the Hawks dealt four-time All-Star guard Trae Young to the Washington Wizards for guard CJ McCollum and forward Corey Kispert on Wednesday night. Removing Young's salary from its books gives Atlanta the financial flexibility it needs to land Davis.

Why the Hawks could now be a destination for Anthony Davis

The Hawks (18-21) and the Toronto Raptors (23-15) are the only teams reportedly interested in trading for Davis. Before trading Young, the Hawks lacked the financial room to accommodate his contract. The 10-time All-Star is in the first year of a three-year, $175.37M deal, which includes a player option after the 2026-27 season.

Young, meanwhile, is in the fourth year of a five-year, $215.16M deal, which includes a player option this offseason.

BREAKING: The Atlanta Hawks are trading four-time NBA All-Star Trae Young to the Washington Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/WIf8rhrRFu
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 8, 2026

"Off the court, the presence of McCollum and Kispert will free Atlanta up to do some more movement ahead of next month's trade deadline [Feb. 5 at 3 p.m. ET]," wrote Spotrac/Front Office Sports contributor Keith Smith after the trade.

"[Guard] Luke Kennard and his expiring $11M salary will be available now. If the Hawks are serious about getting involved in the Anthony Davis trade derby, then expect Kennard to be in that deal, along with [center] Kristaps Porzingis' expiring $30.7M salary. Whether Atlanta is willing to include [forward] Zaccharie Risacher may determine if they land Davis or not."

Per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Hawks have been unwilling to deal 2024 No. 1 pick Risacher and an unprotected 2026 first-round pick from the New Orleans Pelicans (pick No. 2) to the Mavericks. Atlanta has reportedly deemed that pick "untradeable." But Dallas — which has one pick in the 2026 NBA Draft — clearly needs it.

Davis' extensive injury history presents another obstacle for the Mavs. This season, he missed 18 games due to groin and calf injuries.

However, the one-time champion would provide a clear upgrade for the Hawks frontcourt. Entering Wednesday, Davis was averaging 20.3 points per game, while Risacher was logging 10.8. The second-year Frenchman had a season-high 25 points in a 117-100 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday, which will boost his average.

The Hawks and Mavericks are still haggling over a Davis deal. But at least Atlanta is now in a financial position to make it happen.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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