Hawks Rumors: Trae Young, Clint Capela, Larry Nance Jr.

The Atlanta Hawks find themselves walking a precarious tightrope in the NBA’s unforgiving middle ground — too good to tank, not good enough to contend.

It’s a familiar spot for a franchise still searching for an identity, even after improbably winning the draft lottery last year with just a 3% chance. That fortune brought them Zaccharie Risacher, the dynamic forward and No. 1 overall pick, but it hasn’t resolved their lingering questions about direction or identity.

The biggest enigma remains Trae Young. A three-time All-Star, Young still generates plenty of offense — he leads the league in assists this season — but his scoring efficiency has dipped to near-rookie levels, with a career-worst field goal percentage.

As written by Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, around the league, executives wonder if you can truly contend with Young as one of your highest-paid players — especially given the limitations imposed by the league’s new collective bargaining agreement and his well-documented defensive struggles.

Young’s long-time pick-and-roll partner, Clint Capela, is another name to watch as the Hawks weigh their options, per Scotto.

In the final year of his contract at $22.27 million, Capela has drawn interest from teams such as the Knicks, Grizzlies, and Pelicans, though none pulled the trigger this past offseason.

If Atlanta leans into a youth movement, Onyeka Okongwu could see his role expand significantly, and Capela could find himself on the move.

Veteran forward Larry Nance Jr. is also in the final year of his deal, valued at $11.2 million. Known for his leadership and versatility, Nance has seen an inconsistent role this season, making him a logical trade candidate for contenders looking for depth at the forward or small-ball center spot.

De’Andre Hunter and Bogdan Bogdanovic round out Atlanta’s most intriguing trade pieces, as Scotto noted.

Hunter has long been coveted for his 3-and-D potential but has struggled to stay healthy, which complicates moving his $70 million contract that runs through 2026-27.

Bogdanovic, meanwhile, has garnered interest from teams needing bench scoring. Atlanta values his shooting and veteran presence, but if they fully pivot to their younger core, the 32-year-old could be on the block.

Speaking of that core, the Hawks do have reasons for optimism. Jalen Johnson has cemented himself as a cornerstone, signing a five-year, $150 million extension, while Dyson Daniels has become an early Defensive Player of the Year candidate in his first year with the team.

Risacher is already showing flashes of the star Atlanta hoped for, and Okongwu continues to develop into a potential anchor inside.

It’s a tricky spot for the Hawks’ front office. Do they lean on their youth and rebuild, or try to recalibrate around Young and their veterans?

Either way, big decisions are coming, and they’ll need to decide if this version of the Hawks can be more than a team stuck in the middle.

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