Free‑Agency Options: Who the Hawks Could Target to Upgrade Their Roster

The Hawks are standing at a crossroads. After a season that swung between promising bursts and frustrating lapses, Atlanta now has a little breathing room under the salary cap and a handful of roster holes that need plugging. The question on everyone’s mind: who’s out there, and who can actually stick?

First, let’s talk about the point‑guard spot. Trae Young is, of course, the centerpiece, but the club could use a reliable backup who can run the offense when Young rests. Someone like Jae‑Sean McMillan—a solid floor‑general who’s been carving out a niche in the league—might be a perfect fit. He’s not a star, but he can handle the ball, knock down the occasional three, and defend the opposing point guard without turning the clock into a disaster.

Then there’s the shooting wing dilemma. The Hawks love three‑point shots, yet they often fall short when the ball leaves the arc. A player such as Joe Harris from the Celtics’ bench could be a low‑cost, high‑impact addition. Harris averages just over 15 points per game when given 20 minutes, and his three‑point percentage hovers near the 40‑percent mark. Even if he comes in as a role player, those extra buckets could be the difference in tight games.

On the defensive end, Atlanta’s frontcourt has been a bit porous, especially when it comes to guarding stretch bigs. A stretch‑four like Marques Bolden—who can protect the rim and step out to hit the mid‑range jumper—would give the Hawks a versatile piece. Bolden’s ability to space the floor would also open up driving lanes for Young, something the coaching staff has been quietly hoping for all season.

Cap‑wise, the Hawks are not looking to blow up the salary structure. They’re aiming for contracts that are “team‑friendly,” meaning mostly two‑year deals with player options. That way, they keep flexibility for next summer while still adding proven talent.

Another angle is the veterans’ presence. A seasoned leader like Patrick Beverley could bring grit, a defensive mindset, and a touch of toughness that’s been missing in some recent road trips. Beverley’s contract isn’t massive, but his intangibles—leadership, hustle, and a reputation for hard work—could ripple through the locker room.

Of course, the Hawks can’t ignore the rookie pipeline. With the upcoming draft, Atlanta might choose to gamble on a high‑upside prospect, perhaps a sharpshooting guard or a defensive-minded wing, and then complement that with one of the lower‑cost veterans mentioned above. It’s a balancing act: mix youth, experience, shooting, and defense without overpaying.

In short, the Hawks have a menu of realistic options: a reliable backup point guard, a 3‑and‑D wing, a stretch big for spacing, and a gritty veteran for the locker room. The key will be staying patient, staying within the cap, and staying true to the identity Coach Nash wants to cement—a fast‑paced, perimeter‑oriented team that can defend the paint when it matters most.