The Atlanta Hawks have already made a strong move this offseason by acquiring Kristaps Porzingis, a move that could dramatically shift the team’s ceiling if the 7’3” sharpshooting big man stays healthy. Pairing Porzingis with Trae Young, one of the league’s best offensive players, and newly crowned Most Improved Player Dyson Daniels has given Atlanta an impressive foundation.
The Hawks are suddenly positioned to climb back into contention in the Eastern Conference, but their front office might not be finished just yet. According to a new trade scenario, Atlanta could make an aggressive push to further strengthen its backcourt by acquiring two standout guards from the New Orleans Pelicans.
For the Pelicans, the logic is simple: with their core showing signs of regression and the franchise moving toward a rebuild, there’s real incentive to stockpile draft picks and younger talent. For the Hawks, the opportunity to grab proven guards from New Orleans could be the finishing touch, and we have an idea on how to make it happen.
Proposed Trade Details
Atlanta Hawks Receive: Trey Murphy III, Jordan Hawkins
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Zaccharie Risacher, Kobe Bufkin, 2029 first-round pick (ATL), 2031 first-round pick (ATL)
Hawks Create An Exciting Depth Chart To Push For A Spot In ECF
The addition of Trey Murphy III and Jordan Hawkins would instantly give Atlanta one of the most dynamic wing and guard rotations in the Eastern Conference. Murphy, a proven floor-spacer with defensive versatility, slots perfectly next to Trae Young and Dyson Daniels, while Hawkins provides sharpshooting and energy off the bench.
Combined with Kristaps Porzingis patrolling the paint and offering elite rim protection when healthy, the Hawks would have a balanced mix of offense, defense, and depth. Particularly, this trade gives head coach Quin Snyder multiple lineup options. Young and Daniels form a starting backcourt with Murphy stretching defenses at the three, while Jalen Johnson and Kristaps Porzingis provide size and flexibility.
Off the bench, Hawkins joins Nickeil-Alexander Walker, Onyeka Okongwu, and Luke Kennard, giving Atlanta one of the deepest second units in the league. In a playoff setting, that flexibility could be the difference between a first-round exit and a run to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Most importantly, the Hawks finally surround Young with the talent he has lacked since the team’s 2021 Conference Finals appearance. Atlanta would no longer be reliant on one or two players carrying the scoring load. Instead, they’d have a legitimate five-to-eight-man rotation capable of winning in multiple ways, setting up the franchise to challenge New York, Cleveland, and Orlando in the East.
Pelicans Kickstart Their Rebuild In A Perfect Way
For New Orleans, this deal represents a strategic reset without tearing the roster down completely (or at least just yet). Zaccharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft, is already showing the upside of a franchise cornerstone with his size, shot-making, and defensive instincts.
Pairing him with Kobe Bufkin, a promising young guard with playmaking and scoring ability, gives the Pelicans two long-term building blocks who fit the timeline of a patient rebuild. The inclusion of Atlanta’s 2029 and 2031 first-round picks is crucial for New Orleans.
By that time, Trae Young and Porzingis may not be at their peak, creating the possibility of high-value draft selections. These picks give the Pelicans a safety net and the flexibility to either draft more talent or package them in future trades when they’re ready to accelerate back into contention.
With this trade, the Pelicans signal they’re willing to prioritize the future over hanging onto middle-seed playoff hopes. Risacher and Bufkin become the faces of a new era, while Zion Williamson’s future can be evaluated separately. It’s not an immediate win, but they could win down the line.
A Win-Win Trade: Hawks Win Now, Pelicans Later
The beauty of this proposed trade is its balance since both teams walk away with exactly what they need right now. Atlanta maximizes Trae Young’s prime by surrounding him with shooters, defenders, and secondary scorers, ensuring the Hawks are in the mix for a top-four seed and a deep playoff push.
New Orleans, meanwhile, secures long-term assets that allow them to reset and rebuild without the pressure of trying to compete in a loaded Western Conference. In the short term, the Hawks clearly come out ahead.
Murphy and Hawkins are plug-and-play contributors who elevate Atlanta’s offense and add depth to a team already strengthened by the arrival of Porzingis, Alexander-Walker, and Kennard. Snyder gains more lineup versatility, and the Hawks’ fan base gets renewed optimism for a playoff run reminiscent of their 2021 Cinderella story.
Long term, however, the Pelicans could have the last laugh. Risacher could blossom into a two-way star, Bufkin can grow into a reliable rotation guard, and the future draft picks could turn into franchise-altering pieces. If New Orleans is patient, this trade becomes the foundation for their next era that will likely exclude Zion Williamson.
