Hawks pick a lane, and a rival scout likes the direction

The Hawks finally chose a path, and at least one NBA scout thinks that matters.

A scout who had long been bearish on Atlanta’s ceiling with Trae Young as the centerpiece told Ken Sugiura of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the Hawks earned points for clarity ahead of the trade deadline. Moving Young to the Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert was just the start.

Atlanta followed that up by adding Jonathan Kuminga, Buddy Hield, Gabe Vincent, and Jock Landale, plus three future second-round picks.

“I think they’re going all in on chemistry over absolute talent,” the scout said. “Trae was a better player than what they had, but not necessarily a winning player. You either go all in around him or go all in with the young guys. They picked.”

The scout noted that nearly every addition fits as a shooting or connective piece, with Kuminga the lone outlier. That, combined with added cap flexibility and a swing on a former lottery pick, has Atlanta positioned for what the scout called “long-term growth.”

That growth starts with a valuable 2026 first-rounder that will be the most favorable of the Bucks or Pelicans selections.

As for what’s next, the scout sees options. Atlanta could upgrade at center over Onyeka Okongwu, or look for a long defensive wing upgrade alongside Zaccharie Risacher.

Either way, the message was clear.

The Hawks stopped straddling the fence. And in this league, that alone can be progress.