The Hawks are expected to shake up the complexion of their roster in a big way this offseason.
Atlanta seems likely to trade one of Trae Young or Dejounte Murray, is also armed with the No. 1 overall pick, and has a slew of other assets to dangle on the trade market.
Most of the rumors and speculation tie the Hawks to the Pelicans in a potential swap of sorts. Brandon Ingram is expected to be dealt this offseason by New Orleans. Hypotheticals for Ingram and Murray straight up have been floated, but could there be another All-Star that piques the Hawks’ interest?
Well, check out some of these trade hypotheticals from Bleacher Report for Karl-Anthony Towns, one revolving around a Trae Young trade and the other Dejoutne Murray.
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: Trae Young
Atlanta Hawks Receive: Karl-Anthony Towns, a 2026 first-round pick swap and a 2029 first-round pick swap
With KAT coming in and Trae Young going out, this version of the Hawks would have a logjam of a frontcourt. This trade would likely spell the official end of Clint Capela or Onyeka Okongwu’s time in Atlanta.
A couple of pick swaps don’t really move me, especially considering a backcourt of Trae Young and Anthony Edwards will have the Timberwolves in postseason contention year after year.
I don’t love Karl-Anthony Towns as a player, period. He is what he is at this point in his career, a wildly inconsistent player that doesn’t seem to have what it takes to be a true #2, let alone a #1 option.
The perfect illustration of those inconsistencies happened in the Western Conference Finals. Down 3-0, the T’Wolves had their backs against the wall in Game 4, and KAT delivered, scoring 25 points on 69% shooting, knocking down four of his five three-pointers.
However, prior to that, Karl-Anthony Towns averaged just 15 points on just 27.8% shooting in the first three games. Earning a base salary north of $49 million would give you the expectation that he’s capable of shouldering the load in the postseason; that hasn’t been the case.
How about a trade that pairs KAT and Trae Young, though?
Atlanta Hawks Receive: Karl-Anthony Towns
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: Dejounte Murray and Bogdan Bogdanović
The Hawks’ goal this offseason should be very simple — get bigger, tougher, longer, and better defensively. KAT accomplishes some of that, but a defense with Karl-Anthony Towns and Trae Young likely isn’t going to be an elite one.
I’ll say it again. I’m not a fan of KAT, and I’m especially not a fan of either of these trades. The Hawks might not be able to conjure up more, though. It’s going to be an interesting summer in Atlanta.
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