After trading Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans this summer, the Atlanta Hawks were expected to plummet in the standings. However, they owe their 2025 first-round draft pick to the San Antonio Spurs, so there’s no incentive for them to tank. With that in mind, they are currently fifth in the Eastern Conference and are on the verge of making the playoffs.

Right now, the Hawks are Trae Young’s team. He has some role players, but he is by far the best player on the team. As top picks Zacharie Risacher and Jalen Johnson improve, that could change, but this season, Young is in charge.

With a missing hole for a second star, the Hawks could be in the market to add a scorer who can create for himself. Enter the Chicago Bulls, who also owe their 2025 pick to the Spurs, but theirs is protected in the top ten, so they have a very real reason to tank. If the Hawks present a competitive offer, they could sign Zach LaVine, who is having a good start to the season.

LaVine is averaging 21.6 points per game while shooting an unseasonable 42% from 3-point range. In Atlanta, he could add a burst of shooting and athleticism. On top of that, he excels at creating his own shot, which would take some playing pressure off Young.

A recent simulated commercial proposal would send De’Andre Hunter, Bogdan Bogdanovic and a 2029 first-round pick to the Windy City for the two-time All-Star.

“De’Andre Hunter and Bogdan Bogdanovic are valuable pieces, but neither has emerged as a consistent second option,” wrote Eddie Bitar of Fadeaway World on Wednesday. “Moving a future first-round pick limits flexibility, but with Trae Young entering his prime, adding an established star like LaVine signals a clear commitment to winning now. It’s a gamble that could position the Hawks as playoff contenders with the potential to disrupt the Eastern Conference.

Getting rid of Hunter, in particular, and adding LaVine would hurt the Hawks’ already weak defense, but Dyson Daniels, who leads the league in interceptions, could play a bigger role. The Hawks could surround Young with LaVine, Daniels, Johnson and Clint Capela in the starting lineup while playing Risacher on the bench alongside Onyeka Okongwu, Garrison Matthews and Kobe Bufkin.

This roster won’t rival the Boston Celtics or Cleveland Cavaliers as the best in the East, but in such a weak conference the Hawks can capitalize, and without their own draft picks there’s no reason to tanker.

More NBA: Rockets linked to $179M Nuggets scorer amid NBA trade rumors