The Atlanta Hawks made the first significant move of NBA free agency on Monday, acquiring guard Aaron Wiggins from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for two future second-round draft picks.
Wiggins, 26, averaged 8.3 points and 3.6 rebounds last season while shooting 39 percent from three-point range. He had fallen out of Oklahoma City’s deep playoff rotation but projects as a high-impact wing in Atlanta, where the Hawks’ bench scored almost nothing during a six-game first-round loss to the New York Knicks.
“He’s the kind of versatile wing every contender needs, and we just didn’t have one,” a Hawks front-office source told WACN 21. “We needed to add a player who can guard three positions and knock down open threes. Wiggins does both.”
ESPN’s trade grades gave the deal a B+ for Atlanta, citing the low cost — Wiggins is owed $9 million next season, $8.2 million in 2027-28 and $8.2 million on a team option in 2028-29 — and the immediate fit alongside Trae Young, Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels.
The trade does raise questions about the future of 2024 No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher, who is expected to compete with Wiggins for minutes on the wing. Risacher’s role was a frequent topic of discussion among fans and analysts during the Hawks’ first-round exit.
Wiggins becomes the first major addition for new Hawks President of Basketball Operations Onsi Saleh, who took over the front office this spring after being promoted from assistant GM. Saleh is also expected to extend head coach Quin Snyder, who is entering the final year of his contract.
The Hawks hold three first-round picks in the upcoming NBA Draft, including the No. 8 selection acquired in last summer’s trade with New Orleans. They are widely expected to make at least one more roster move before training camp opens in late September.
