Hawks midseason moves paying off big in playoffs

Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum. Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Hawks midseason moves paying off big in playoffs

By Sean Keane | Last updated Apr 24, 2026 1:25 AM ET

The Atlanta Hawks made two significant trades during the 2025-26 season. Two players they brought in with those deals had big nights in Thursday's 109-108 Game 3 win over the New York Knicks.

CJ McCollum, acquired in January from the Washington Wizards, scored 23 points and made the game-winning basket in both Game 2 and Game 3. Jonathan Kuminga, who came over from the Golden State Warriors at the trade deadline, scored 21 points off the bench and made the game-ending steal.

CJ McCollum has been surprisingly important for Atlanta Hawks

When the Hawks traded for McCollum, it was widely considered to be a salary dump of Trae Young, who has a $49M player option for 2026-27. However, the 34-year-old guard became a valuable part of the Hawks rotation, averaging 18.7 points and 4.1 assists with his new team.

Unlike Young, a talented scorer and passer, McCollum doesn't always need the ball in his hands. He's not as dynamic or as creative as a passer, but McCollum is a superior defender, less prone to turnovers and has allowed younger Hawks like Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker the freedom to develop as playmakers.

Like Young, McCollum has shot-making abilities that make him a dangerous player in crunch time, and a talent for breaking the hearts of the Knicks.

CJ MCCOLLUM CALED GAME pic.twitter.com/V2lSDq5T0y
— NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) April 24, 2026

Jonathan Kuminga is meeting his potential with Atlanta Hawks

The Kuminga trade was unheralded at the time, as he'd played just 20 games with the Golden State Warriors. He was traded while injured for the injured Kristaps Porzingis, with the Hawks taking a flyer on a former lottery pick on a team option. Kuminga has thrived in the Knicks series, putting up 21 points in Game 3 after scoring 19 in Atlanta's Game 2 win.

Kuminga has shown he can put up points before. What's different about him on the Hawks this year is his defense. Kuminga has used his athleticism and harassed Knicks ballhandlers, guarding players ranging from Karl-Anthony Towns to Jalen Brunson.

On the Knicks' last possession of Game 3, Kuminga guarded two different Knicks players, then sprinted to double Brunson and force a turnover, out-hustling Josh Hart for the loose ball despite Hart's head start.

DIDN'T EVEN LET THEM GET A SHOT OFF CLAMP CITYYYYYYYY pic.twitter.com/A0pPXVD0L8
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 24, 2026

The Hawks found players who really fit their team. However, the key was their willingness to move on from their own decisions. They made a high-profile trade for Porzingis during the summer, but didn't hesitate to move on after four months. General manager Onsi Saleh also decisively moved Young, pulling the trigger on a deal in early January instead of waiting for the trade deadline.

The Hawks' late-season surge made their trades look good. Taking a 2-1 lead on the Knicks has made these deals look amazing.

Sean Keane

Sean Keane is a sportswriter and a comedian based in Oakland, California, with experience covering the NBA, MLB, NFL and Ice Cube’s three-on-three basketball league, The Big 3. He’s written for Comedy Central’s “Another Period,” ESPN the Magazine, and Audible. com

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