Atlanta entered the NBA Draft night with two lottery picks, fresh off re-signing CJ McCollum to a one-year deal and adding Aaron Wiggins in exchange for a pair of second-round selections from Oklahoma City. The front office highlighted four players who could move before or during the draft, and the most immediate headline-grabber is forward Jonathan Kuminga, whose team option for next season must be decided by next Monday.

McCollum’s new contract keeps the veteran guard with the Hawks for another season while preserving salary flexibility. Retaining a proven scorer on a short-term deal gives the team room to explore other moves without being tied to a long-term commitment. This flexibility is especially valuable as the Hawks look to balance veteran presence with the infusion of young talent from the draft.

Kuminga’s option, at a guaranteed amount, places him among the higher-priced bench contributors, making him a tradable asset with a known salary. Because the contract is guaranteed, Atlanta can package him with draft assets to acquire a starter-level player or a more versatile wing. His age and upside also mean he could be attractive to teams seeking a young, contract-flexible piece to build around.

The Hawks have been mentioned as the most active team in the top ten of trade talks this offseason, a status underscored by the McCollum extension and the Wiggins acquisition. Their willingness to shuffle assets reflects a front office intent on accelerating a competitive window. By keeping Kuminga on the table, Atlanta signals its readiness to either bolster the roster with a starter or continue building a flexible core around Trae Young and the newly minted draft picks.

The clock is now ticking on Kuminga’s option, with a deadline of next Monday. If the Hawks retain him, they will enter the season with a guaranteed salary and a bench player who can contribute solid minutes. If they opt to trade, the window narrows to the pre-draft and first-round periods, when other teams are most willing to package picks and players. Either scenario will shape Atlanta’s roster construction for the next two years and will likely dictate how the two draft picks are leveraged.