The Atlanta Hawks are at a crossroads. After trading away two key rotation pieces in De’Andre Hunter and Bogdan Bogdanovic before the deadline, many assumed the team was heading toward a rebuild.
However, with Dyson Daniels emerging as a defensive menace (leading the NBA with 3.0 steals per game) and Jalen Johnson making a massive leap, the Hawks might not need to hit the reset button. Instead, a calculated win-now trade could maximize Trae Young’s prime while keeping Atlanta competitive.
Despite their struggles, the Hawks still have a dynamic offensive engine in Young and a rising star in Johnson, making them an intriguing team if they can find the right reinforcements. Rather than bottoming out, Atlanta could swing big and add All-Star Zion Williamson in a major move to shake up the East.
Zion has only played 30 games this season and has struggled with injuries over his career with only 214 games played over six seasons, but he can be a difference-maker when healthy and in the right situation. Clearly, the big man wants to leave the New Orleans Pelicans and we have a blockbuster trade idea on how he could join the Hawks.
Proposed Trade Details
Atlanta Hawks Receive: Zion Williamson
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Zaccharie Risacher, Terance Mann, 2029 First-Round Pick (ATL), 2030 First-Round Pick (ATL)
Zion Leaves New Orleans, Hawks Form Best Lob Duo In NBA
For years, Zion Williamson has been one of the league’s most electrifying talents, but injuries, inconsistency, and off-court drama have defined his time in New Orleans. Now, in a blockbuster trade, the Atlanta Hawks swoop in to pair him with Trae Young, forming what might be the best lob duo the NBA has ever seen.
With Young’s elite court vision (league-leading 11.4 APG) and Zion’s freakish talent, defenses will have nightmares trying to contain their pick-and-rolls and transition attacks. Even in a tumultuous 2024-25 season, Zion has remained a dominant force when on the floor, averaging 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists on an absurd 56.7% from the field.
His ability to finish at the rim (58.9% FG over his career) makes him the perfect complement to Young’s passing, and the Hawks desperately need a second star to relieve offensive pressure. Add in Jalen Johnson (18.9 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 5.0 APG), an emerging two-way force, and Atlanta suddenly boasts one of the most athletic frontcourts in the league.
More than just a highlight-reel pairing, this duo could elevate Atlanta back into serious playoff contention. The Eastern Conference is stacked, but if Zion stays healthy and Young continues to orchestrate the offense at an elite level, the Hawks could have one of the most dangerous offenses in the league.
Pelicans Finally Hit Reset Button
New Orleans has been flirting with contender status for years, but they’ve never been a true threat in the West. Zion’s injuries, Brandon Ingram’s trade rumors that ended in his departure, and roster imbalance have kept them stuck in the middle of nowhere. With this trade, the Pelicans finally committed to a reset.
Zaccharie Risacher has been one of the standout rookies this season, posting 11.9 PPG, 3.7 RPG, and 1.2 APG while shooting 35.0% from three. The 19-year-old has another decade to hit his prime so he is a perfect rebuild choice. Add in Terance Mann, a player on a $15 million salary in 2025-26 and can be used for further trades. Pairing them with Herb Jones, Yves Missi, and a haul of future first-round picks gives New Orleans a clearer direction.
Without Zion’s presence dominating the offense, the Pelicans can finally reshape their playstyle around spacing, ball movement, and perimeter defense. This move may not make them immediate contenders, but it puts them in a better long-term position than being stuck in mediocrity. The Pelicans will still be competitive, but more importantly, they now have a true roadmap for the future.
A Hawks Core That Can Make Noise In The East
With Trae Young, Zion Williamson, Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, and Onyeka Okongwu, the Hawks suddenly have one of the most exciting young cores in the NBA. Trae remains one of the league’s top offensive engines, averaging 24.1 points and 11.4 assists, while Zion adds elite finishing and rim pressure. Jalen Johnson continues to rise as a do-it-all forward, and Daniels gives them an elite defender in the backcourt.
Defense has long been a problem for the Hawks, but this lineup helps change that. Daniels’ ability to guard multiple positions and generate steals gives Atlanta a legitimate perimeter stopper, while Johnson and Okongwu provide size, versatility, and rim protection. With Young and Zion handling the offensive load, the Hawks will be nearly impossible to guard in transition, where both thrive on the open floor.
In a loaded Eastern Conference, this core still has to prove it can compete with the likes of Boston, Cleveland, and New York. But with Young’s playmaking, Zion’s inside dominance, and a vastly improved supporting cast, Atlanta has the pieces to make serious noise. If they stay healthy and build chemistry, don’t be surprised if the Hawks go from an afterthought to a real problem in the East.
Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We really appreciate your support.
