The Hawks remain “hopeful” about their chances of re-signing veteran guard CJ McCollum in free agency this summer, writes Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link). Within his latest rumor round-up, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype also discusses the possibility of McCollum returning to Atlanta as a free agent, suggesting that the 34-year-old is being projected to sign a new deal with the Hawks in the range of $20MM per year.
Even if they bring back McCollum, the Hawks have interest in adding a “downhill ball-handler” to their backcourt to complement star forward Jalen Johnson, Fischer reports. Additionally, Atlanta would like to upgrade its frontcourt rotation beyond current starting center Onyeka Okongwu, Fischer adds.
Rival executives expect the Hawks to address one of those needs with the eighth overall pick in next week’s draft, according to both Fischer and Scotto. With AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson expected to come off the board in the top four, in some order, at least one guard from a group that includes Mikel Brown, Darius Acuff, Keaton Wagler, and Kingston Flemings will be available at No. 8, and Michigan center Aday Mara may also be an option.
Fischer says he gets the sense that the Brown, Wagler, and Flemings camps all view the Hawks at No. 8 as their floor, while Acuff’s floor may be Milwaukee at No. 10, despite a series of rumors suggesting that Sacramento covets him at No. 7.
Here’s more on the Hawks:
- Numerous teams are expected to register interest in free agent center Jock Landale after his strong 2025/26 season, but the Hawks hope to retain him, Scotto reports. Atlanta holds Landale’s Non-Bird rights and he’s coming off a minimum-salary contract, so the club’s ability to give him a raise without using another exception will be limited.
- Before making their decision on Jonathan Kuminga‘s $24.3MM team option, the Hawks have gauged the trade market for the former seventh overall pick, league sources tell HoopsHype. However, Scotto describes Kuminga returning to Atlanta – whether on that option or on a new contract – as a “real possibility.”
- The Hawks, who also hold a second first-rounder at No. 23, have looked into the possibility of trading up from that spot, league sources tell Scotto.
- Although Atlanta was identified last week as a team with some interest in Austin Reaves, the odds of the Hawks emerging as a serious suitor for the Lakers guard, an unrestricted free agent this offseason, are considered low, Scotto writes.
- Zaccharie Risacher, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, spoke in an interview with beIN Sports about playing a diminished role during his second NBA season, as Johnny Askounis of Eurohoops relays. Risacher admits it was a “pretty frustrating” season and said the reason for his dip in minutes was “not as clear as I would have liked.” However, he believes he stayed mentally focused and can learn from the experience. “I belong on an NBA court,” the 21-year-old forward said. “There’s no doubt about that. I have confidence in myself.”
