The Atlanta Hawks pulled off the biggest trade of the NBA’s early offseason Tuesday night, acquiring an All-Star point guard from the Indiana Pacers in a deal that sends two future first-round picks and a young wing to Indianapolis.
The move is a clear signal: the Hawks are all-in on the Trae Young window, and they think they need a second star to make it work.
What’s in the deal
- Hawks get: A 25-year-old point guard, fresh off his first All-Star selection, plus a 2027 second-round pick
- Pacers get: Two future first-round picks (2027 and 2029, both lightly protected), a 22-year-old wing who showed real promise as a rookie, and a $6.8 million traded-player exception
The Hawks’ 2027 first-rounder is top-8 protected, converting to a 2028 second-rounder if it doesn’t convey. The 2029 first is top-5 protected. Indiana gets significant long-term upside, but Atlanta is the team trying to win now.
What this means for the Hawks
The Hawks’ backcourt — already one of the most interesting young backcourts in the league — now has two elite playmakers and a clear offensive identity. Both players can handle the ball, both can shoot from distance, and both are under 27.
“You don’t make a trade like this unless you think you have a window. We think we have a window, and we think we needed one more guy to take advantage of it.”
— Hawks GM Landry Fields, in a statement
The move also signals that the Hawks are not going to trade Trae Young this offseason, despite persistent rumors through the spring. Fields was asked about that directly Tuesday night and said, “He’s our guy. We’re building around him.”
What’s the cost
The Hawks gave up real assets. The 2027 first is in what most front offices consider the deepest draft in a decade. The 2029 first is unprotected at a point when the Hawks’ roster may have aged out of contention, depending on the path of the current core.
The young wing the Hawks sent to Indiana showed real two-way potential in his rookie year — a 6'7" wing who can guard multiple positions and shot 38 percent from three. He was the kind of player the Hawks will miss.
But this is how the trade calculus works. You give up the future to make the present count.
What Hawks fans should know
- The starting backcourt is now set. Both players are in their mid-20s and under contract for the next three seasons.
- Cap flexibility is gone for 2027-28. The Hawks will be in the second apron, which limits their ability to add via free agency.
- The 2026-27 season is now the team’s clear all-in window. The Hawks are expected to be in the play-in tournament mix and possibly higher.
What’s next
The Hawks still have decisions to make on the wing rotation and the backup center spot, but the biggest move of the offseason is done. Training camp opens in late September.
The Hawks’ first preseason game is October 6 at State Farm Arena against the Miami Heat.
Jordan Reyes covers the Hawks, Falcons, Braves, Atlanta United, and Georgia high school sports for WACN 21. Reach him at jreyes@wacn21.com.