The Atlanta Hawks completed the biggest trade of the NBA season to date, dealing franchise cornerstone Trae Young to the Washington Wizards in exchange for CJ McCollum and Korey Kispert.
The transaction clears Young’s remaining two years from Atlanta’s payroll, including his $46 million salary this season and a $49 million player option for 2026-27, while bringing in McCollum on a $30.6 million expiring contract, creating a pathway for the Hawks to pursue another major move.
After Flexibility Gained From Trading Trae Young, Hawks Expected To Go After Anthony Davis
The Hawks have long been connected to Dallas Mavericks 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis, and moving Young reportedly represents the first major step in that direction.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, who first reported the Young-to-Washington deal, the trade gives Atlanta increased financial flexibility to chase high-salary stars as the franchise looks to retool for contention.
“Moving Young also provides Atlanta with added financial flexibility to pursue a large salary over the next several months – with Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis as a prime in-season trade target,” Charania reported.
Moving Young also provides Atlanta with added financial flexibility to pursue a large salary over the next several months – with Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis as a prime in-season trade target.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 8, 2026
NBA insider Jake Weinbach echoed the Davis-to-Atlanta reporting, noting that the Hawks could leverage expiring contracts such as Kristaps Porzingis ($30.7 million) and Luke Kennard ($11 million), along with future assets, to assemble a compelling trade offer.
The Hawks are widely expected to pursue Anthony Davis from the Mavericks after officially turning the page on the Trae Young era.
Atlanta still has the expiring contracts of Kristaps Porzingis ($30.7M) and Luke Kennard ($11M) along with future assets to construct an enticing…
— Jake Weinbach (@JWeinbachNBA) January 8, 2026
Earlier reports suggested Dallas could center a Davis deal around the Hawks’ 2024 No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher, but NBA insider Michael Scotto reported that Atlanta has resisted including Risacher as well as the Pelicans’ unprotected 2026 first-round pick acquired in the Derik Queen trade during negotiations.
Davis remains highly productive when healthy, averaging 20.3 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists across 19 games this season. However, the Mavericks are reportedly also weighing the option of keeping him to see how far the team can go once Kyrie Irving returns and Cooper Flagg continues to develop.
