The Atlanta Hawks have been busy this offseason. Before free agency began, they traded for Kristaps Porzingis and landed an unprotected first-round pick from the New Orleans Pelicans next year. As free agency kicked off, the Hawks continued to add to their roster. They executed a sign-and-trade for Nickeil Alexander-Walker and signed sharpshooting wing Luke Kennard. Analysts praised the moves, noting how much depth it gives Atlanta at a key position. After the signings, a report came out saying that superstar Trae Young was heavily involved in the recruitment process for these free agents.
Atlanta Hawks Trae Young Invested In Free Agency
Hawks star Trae Young reached out to Kennard and Nickeil Alexander-Walker this evening to help recruit them to the franchise, sources said. Two big wing gets for the Hawks. https://t.co/uZw0IXQeG0
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2025
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Trae Young reached out to both Alexander-Walker and Kennard about joining him in Atlanta. His pitch must have been a good one. Both players decided to sign with a team that played well down the stretch. Injuries and an incomplete roster hindered the team last season, but there were a lot of promising performances as well.
Dyson Daniels looked like a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate, and Jaylon Johnson looked like a solid young wing before an injury sidelined him for the season. Young himself looked elite at times, distributing the ball to his teammates for easy shots. All of these moves look great right now, and it puts the Atlanta Hawks in an interesting position in the Eastern Conference.
Eastern Conference Contenders?
The East looks wide open next year. Cleveland has kept most of their team intact, but everyone else has major questions. Boston will be without Jayson Tatum for the year and has already traded Jrue Holiday and Porzingis, as mentioned earlier. The Knicks fired their head coach, and the Pacers will be without Tyrese Haliburton for the year. Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks are always lurking, but still have major roster questions.
The Atlanta Hawks could easily be one of the top four teams if they can gel as a team. They’ve made all the right moves this offseason and have a good coach in Quinn Snyder. This will be a team to watch next year. Could Trae Young lead the Hawks in an Eastern Conference Finals?
