NBA Rumors: Hawks, CJ McCollum, Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton, Timberwolves

Hawks

The Hawks are expected to explore ways to keep CJ McCollum around beyond this season.

According to Michael Scotto of  HoopsHype, Atlanta has interest in re-signing McCollum after acquiring the veteran guard from the Wizards in the blockbuster Trae Young trade.

McCollum appeared in 41 regular-season games with the Hawks and averaged 18.7 points while helping stabilize Atlanta’s offense during stretches of the season.

He also played a major role in the team pushing the New York Knicks in the opening round of the playoffs before Atlanta ultimately lost in six games.

The Hawks haven’t won a postseason series since Young led the franchise to the Eastern Conference finals in 2021, but McCollum’s arrival at least gave the offense another proven shot creator alongside Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

Still, there are obvious questions attached to a long-term commitment.

McCollum is now 34, and while his playoff impact was significant, there’s understandable hesitation about investing heavily in an aging guard whose production could decline quickly.

Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report recently noted that concern could become one of Atlanta’s biggest offseason dilemmas.

One possible middle ground may involve a short-term deal. According to Dallas Hoops Journal, the Hawks previously showed interest in a one-year framework shortly after acquiring McCollum.

Pacers

There was never much doubt that Tyrese Haliburton intended to play in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals for the Indiana Pacers.

Even knowing the risks.

Haliburton recently admitted he understood there was a chance he could tear his Achilles tendon entering Game 7 against Oklahoma City, but said he still would have taken the floor anyway.

“I knew going into the game there was a chance,” Haliburton said in comments shared by Fullcourtpass on X. “If I were to have sat out that would have been weak.”

Those comments only strengthened Haliburton’s standing among Pacers fans, many of whom already viewed him as the face of the franchise.

Unfortunately for Indiana, the fallout from the injury lingered into this past season. Without Haliburton available, the Pacers managed just 19 wins and struggled to generate consistent offense.

Before the injury, Haliburton had been coming off an outstanding 2024-25 campaign in which he averaged 18.6 points and 9.2 assists while earning All-NBA Third Team honors.

The Pacers are now hoping a healthy trio of Haliburton, Pascal Siakam and Ivica Zubac can help push the team back into contention next season after Indiana acquired Zubac from the Clippers at the trade deadline.

That deal, however, came with a cost.

Because the Pacers landed fifth in the draft lottery, their protected first-round pick conveyed to Los Angeles rather than remaining in Indiana’s possession.

The Pacers now move forward without a 2026 first-round selection after attaching significant draft capital in the Zubac trade.

Timberwolves

The Timberwolves are expected to explore ways to ease some of the offensive burden on Anthony Edwards this offseason, and one interesting name floated as a possible fit is Kyrie Irving.

According to Jim Souhan of the Star Tribune, Irving could make more sense for Minnesota than pursuing a blockbuster deal for Giannis Antetokounmpo, largely because the Timberwolves may not have enough trade assets to seriously compete in a Giannis bidding war.

Irving, meanwhile, would provide another elite shot creator and playmaker capable of taking defensive pressure off Edwards while complementing the versatile game of Jaden McDaniels.

Of course, there are major questions there too.

Irving is recovering from a torn ACL and will turn 35 next season, making any potential pursuit a significant gamble for a Minnesota team still trying to establish itself as a consistent championship contender.