Atlanta Hawks Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Latest On Anthony Davis

December 27th, 2025 at 4:03pm CST by Rory Maher

NBA on Prime insider Chris Haynes hears the Warriors are considering putting together a trade package to try and acquire Anthony Davis (Twitter video link). However, Haynes says the Mavericks aren’t enamored with the assets Golden State could offer for Davis, so if the Warriors do try to make a run at the star big man, a third team might have to be involved.

If it isn’t Davis, the Warriors are still hoping to find a strong defensive center ahead of the trade deadline in February, according to Haynes.

Sources confirm to Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com that the Warriors, Raptors and Hawks are interested in acquiring Davis (story via Ashish Mathur).

Whether he remains with Dallas or is traded to a new team, the 32-year-old is expected to seek a lucrative long-term extension once he becomes eligible to sign one in August, per Dallas Hoops Journal. Both Haynes and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link) have heard the same.

Davis, who has dealt with numerous injuries over the years, is currently battling a groin strain. He was initially listed as questionable for Saturday’s contest in Sacramento, but has subsequently been downgraded to out.

“Hopefully, it’s not long,” head coach Jason Kidd said of Davis’ absence (Twitter link via Christian Clark of The Athletic).

Haynes also reported that the Hawks are “very intrigued” by the possibility of trading for Davis. In a separate story for Dallas Hoops Journal, Afseth takes a look at Atlanta’s potential interest in the 10-time All-Star, writing that people around the league think the Hawks might be open to a major roster shake-up in order to snap out of their recent funk — they’ve lost five straight games and are just 2-9 in December.

According to Afseth, a Hawks trade package involving Kristaps Porzingis ($30.7MM expiring contract), Luke Kennard ($11MM expiring salary) and Zaccharie Risacher ($13.2MM in the second year of his rookie scale deal) is very close to what Davis earns this season ($54.1MM), which is one reason why Atlanta is viewed as a potential fit. The Mavs would almost certainly send out another smaller salary or two in that scenario to have additional breathing room below their second apron hard cap.

Kennard hasn’t made the sort of impact Atlanta was hoping when it signed him to a one-year deal over the summer, Afesth notes. The veteran guard received his first DNP-CD during Friday’s loss to Miami.

Hawks ‘Intrigued’ By Possibility Of Acquiring Anthony Davis

December 27th, 2025 at 9:37am CST by Dana Gauruder

The Hawks remain “very intrigued” by the possibility of acquiring Mavericks big man Anthony Davis in a trade, insider Chris Haynes reported during an ‘NBA on Prime’ broadcast (hat tip to Real GM).

Haynes indicated that a potential deal involving the Hawks would not include Trae Young, who could become a free agent after the season if he declines his $48,967,380 option. Instead, the package for Davis could include 2024 top pick Zaccharie Risacher.

“Dallas would likely want expiring deals, young assets, and picks – and probably, likely to include number one pick from last season Zach Risacher,” Haynes said.

If Young and his $46MM salary isn’t part of the potential deal, Kristaps Porzingis‘ $30,731,707 expiring contract would be a necessary component.

Brett Siegel of Clutch Points reported earlier this week that the Hawks had checked in on Davis. However, Siegel also reported that there has been no momentum in those talks and there was a sense that Atlanta is more likely to target a lower-salary replacement if the team builds a deal around Porzingis‘ expiring contract.

Adding Davis would be an “all-in” move for the Hawks, considering his contract numbers. He’s making $54,126,45 this season and $58,456,566 next season. Davis also holds a player option of $62,786,682 for the 2027/28 season.

Haynes added that a team acquiring Davis would likely have to sign him to a contract extension. That would involve significant risk, considering Davis’ injury history. He’s currently dealing with a mild right groin strain.

Davis has only appeared in 16 games this season and, outside of his 76 regular-season appearances with the Lakers in 2023/24, hasn’t seen action in more than 62 games since the 2018/19 season.

Davis would significantly boost the Hawks’ defense. Atlanta has falle below .500 at 15-17 during its current five-game slide. The Hawks have allowed 126 or more points in their last seven losses. They have allowed opponents to shoot 47.8 percent from the field this season, ranking 23rd in the league in that category.

And-Ones: Gortman, Bamba, All-Value Team, TV Ratings

December 25th, 2025 at 2:23pm CST by Luke Adams

Multiple college coaches have reached out to Jazian Gortman‘s camp to see if the 22-year-old guard, who has been playing for the Oklahoma City Blue in the G League, would have interest in playing NCAA ball, tweets Jeff Goodman of Field of 68.

Gortman was part of the Overtime Elite program in 2022/23, went undrafted in 2023, and has spent multiple years since then playing in the G League. However, unlike James Nnaji, who enrolled at Baylor this week two years after being drafted by Charlotte, Gortman has actually played in the NBA.

In addition to signing Exhibit 10 contracts with the Bucks, Mavericks, and Thunder since 2023, Gortman also spent over three months in 2024/25 on a two-way deal with Dallas, appearing in 16 NBA games during that time.

According to Goodman, Gortman conveyed that he’s not interested in going the college route. However, the fact that he generated interest at all is an indication that college programs are continuing to test the limits of the NCAA’s increasingly lenient interpretation of rules related to a player’s so-called “amateur” status.

Here are more odds and ends from around the basketball world:

After recently suggesting that the Raptors should strongly consider Mo Bamba for a 10-day contract next month, Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca asked sources why the former lottery pick is currently toiling in the G League rather than the NBA. The general consensus, Grange says, is that there are concerns about the consistency of Bamba’s effort. “He has every tool necessary to be an elite player … but he will always be a tease, unfortunately,” one league executive said. Bamba has averaged 16.5 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game in 14 outings for the Salt Lake City Stars this season.
Which NBA players are on the most team-friendly contracts? Bobby Marks of ESPN selects his 15-man “All-Value team,” singling out players like Hawks guard Vit Krejci, Celtics center Neemias Queta, Mavericks guard Brandon Williams, and the Spencer brothers (Pat Spencer of the Warriors and Cam Spencer of the Grizzlies). Marks’ team is made of players earning less than $3MM this season who weren’t signed via the first- or second-round cap exceptions.
Ahead of the NBA’s Christmas Day games, the league announced that more than 87 million people have watched games so far this season on ESPN, NBC/Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, and NBA TV (Twitter link). That figure represents an 89% increase on last season in the first year of the NBA’s new media rights deal, according to the league.

Trade Rumors: Sexton, Wolves, Pelicans, Hawks, Bagley

December 23rd, 2025 at 4:05pm CST by Luke Adams

Although the Hornets are willing to discuss potential trades, they still hope they can contend for a play-in spot and aren’t looking to simply sell off veterans, writes Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link). According to Fischer, veteran guard Collin Sexton and his expiring $19MM contract looks like Charlotte’s most logical trade candidate.

Minnesota is one team that has done its homework on Sexton, Fischer says, explaining that the Timberwolves appear to be trying to get a sense of their range of options at the point guard spot as they seek an upgrade on their current options. While sources tell Fischer that the Wolves are adamant about not including budding star Jaden McDaniels in any deals, rival executives suspect the back-to-back conference finalists will be more aggressive on the trade market than most other Western contenders.

As Fischer explains, teams like the Thunder, Nuggets, Rockets, and Spurs aren’t considered likely to make in-season splashes, so the only other club currently in the top six of the West that figures to be actively seeking meaningful upgrades is the Lakers. And it remains to be seen whether they’ll be able to acquire the sort of three-and-D player they’d love to add.

Here are a few more NBA trade rumors:

As coveted as Pelicans forward Herbert Jones and Trey Murphy III are, sources believe they’re unlikely to be moved at the trade deadline, writes Brett Siegel of Clutch Points. Rival scouts view Jose Alvarado, Saddiq Bey, Jordan Hawkins, and Jordan Poole as New Orleans’ more likely trade candidates, in that order, per Siegel.
Although the Hawks have checked in on Mavericks big man Anthony Davis, there has been no momentum in those talks and there’s a sense that Atlanta is more likely to target a lower-salary replacement if the team builds a deal around Kristaps Porzingis‘ expiring contract ahead of the deadline, says Siegel. One hypothetical proposal put forth by league personnel would see the Hawks target a package like Nikola Vucevic and Coby White from the Bulls, though there’s no indication that the two teams have explored that sort of trade, Siegel clarifies, noting that it’s just an example of the type of move that would likely appeal more to Atlanta than going after someone like Davis.
Siegel singles out Wizards big man Marvin Bagley III as a player to watch ahead of the deadline, writing that he has begun generating interest from teams looking to fortify their frontcourts.

Hawks Sign Malik Williams To Two-Way Contract

December 23rd, 2025 at 4:01pm CST by Luke Adams

4:01 pm: The Hawks’ two-way deal with Williams is official, the team confirmed in a press release.

2:54 pm: The Hawks have reached an agreement with center Malik Williams on a two-way contract, sources tell Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN (Twitter link).

Williams has been playing for Atlanta’s G League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks, appearing in 14 games for the team so far this season. The 6’11” big man has averaged 16.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 27.4 minutes per contest.

A former Louisville standout, Williams played in seven NBA games near the end of the 2023/24 season when he signed a pair of 10-day contracts with the Raptors, but has been in the G League since then. The 27-year-old was a regular contributor for the Sioux Falls Skyforce, Miami’s affiliate, prior to joining the Skyhawks this fall.

The Hawks have recently seen their two-way and frontcourt depth decimated by a series of major injuries. Two-way forwards Jacob Toppin underwent season-ending shoulder surgery and Eli Ndiaye will soon follow suit, while center N’Faly Dante – who is on a standard contract – sustained a torn ACL. Starting center Kristaps Porzingis is also currently on the shelf due to an illness.

Toppin was waived by Atlanta last week, so the team won’t need to make a corresponding roster move to open up a two-way slot for Williams. As our chart shows, the Hawks’ newest two-way player will be eligible to be active for up to 32 games for the NBA squad.

Central Rumors: Bucks, Grant, Kispert, Cavs, White, Duren

December 23rd, 2025 at 3:34pm CST by Luke Adams

The expectation around the NBA is that the Bucks are looking to make an impactful in-season trade in the hopes of upgrading their roster around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Myles Turner, reports Brett Siegel of Clutch Points.

According to Siegel, Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant – rumored to be a potential Milwaukee target – was the name linked to the Bucks most frequently by executives at the G League Winter Showcase over the weekend, with some sources speculating that Milwaukee could land both Grant and center Robert Williams in a deal with Portland.

While Siegel suggests that the Bucks could package Kyle Kuzma, Bobby Portis, and one more smaller contract for those two players, I’m not convinced that sort of deal would meaningfully affect Milwaukee’s outlook. Williams’ availability has been extremely limited due to his extensive injury history, and the Blazers have been better when he’s off the court than when he’s on it this season.

In addition to confirming that Grant and Heat forward Andrew Wiggins are receiving consideration from the Bucks, Siegel identifies Wizards wing Corey Kispert as another player who is on Milwaukee’s radar. Known as a three-point marksman, Kispert is hitting 40.3% of his outside shots this season, though he’s playing a career-low 19.9 minutes per game.

We have more rumors from across the Central Division:

Many sources who have spoken to Siegel downplayed the idea that the Cavaliers are looking to shake up their roster in a significant way this season. Still, that doesn’t mean the team won’t be active with non-core players prior to the deadline. Siegel singles out forwards De’Andre Hunter and Dean Wade as trade candidates to watch, noting that the Rockets had interest in Wade before signing Dorian Finney-Smith in free agency this past summer.
At least six teams around the NBA have inquired on Bulls guard Coby White, Siegel writes, with league executives speculating that the Magic, Hawks, and Cavaliers could be among his suitors. There’s a belief that Orlando wants to add more scoring punch by trading Jonathan Isaac and second-round draft capital, per Siegel, though he adds that the Bulls are optimistic about getting at least one unprotected first-round pick for White. While Chicago could probably extract a 2026 first-rounder from a playoff team for White, I think the team would have a harder time acquiring a future first-rounder with more significant lottery upside in exchange for a player who almost certainly won’t sign an extension prior to reaching unrestricted free agency at season’s end.
Teams around the NBA are curious to see what Jalen Duren‘s next contract will look like, with the Pistons big man in the midst of a career year ahead of restricted free agency, writes Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link). “The Pistons are being overshadowed by OKC and San Antonio, but they’re just as set up to compete for the next five years as anyone,” one assistant general manager told Fischer, who writes that Duren could be headed for $40MM+ per year on his second NBA deal. A five-year, maximum-salary contract for a fifth-year player like Duren next summer projects to be worth over $48MM annually.

Afseth’s Latest: Spurs, Giannis, J. Johnson, Jazz, Bey

December 23rd, 2025 at 11:31am CST by Luke Adams

The Spurs have flashed tantalizing potential this season with a 21-7 start and a run to the NBA Cup championship game, but league sources who spoke to Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal don’t expect San Antonio to make the sort of significant in-season trade that would compromise the club’s future flexibility.

“They’re not going to sit around being satisfied, but I don’t see them making a move like trading for Giannis (Antetokounmpo),” a source told Afseth. “There are more reasonable options out there. They can be patient and opportunistic.”

According to Afseth, the expectation is that the Spurs will focus on internal growth of their young core this season while preserving their most valuable long-term assets. Still, he says some rival teams have wondered whether San Antonio would be willing to sacrifice some of those assets for another high-level role player who would complement the current group.

“They have the assets to make a trade like Orlando did to add Desmond Bane,” a source said. “It’d have to be someone that fits their timeline. Someone like a Trey Murphy III, for example, could be a strong fit.”

Here are a few more items of interest from Afseth’s latest round-up:

If Antetokounmpo is made available this season, many of the top suitors for the Bucks star are expected to be Eastern Conference clubs, says Afseth. That group includes the Heat, Knicks, Hawks, and Raptors, though rival executives are skeptical that New York would want to break up its roster during the season and Atlanta isn’t expected to make forward Jalen Johnson available, Afseth notes.
While both Afseth and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link) say that hanging onto their top-eight protected 2026 first-round pick is a priority for the Jazz, Fischer writes that Utah also wants to “establish a winning environment” sooner rather than later. Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George – along with 2026 restricted free agent Walker Kessler – are viewed as cornerstones for the Jazz, with Kyle Anderson, Jusuf Nurkic, Kevin Love, and Georges Niang considered potential in-season trade candidates, per Afseth. Afseth adds that both management and ownership have confidence that Will Hardy is the right head coach to guide the team out of its rebuilding stage.
Pelicans forward Saddiq Bey is increasingly piquing the interest of teams in need of help on the wing, according to Afseth, who published a full story on Sunday examining Bey’s return to action this season following a torn ACL. The 26-year-old is averaging 15.0 points and 6.1 rebounds in 29.5 minutes per game through 29 outings (21 starts) for New Orleans.

Hawks’ N’Faly Dante Out For Season With Torn ACL

December 23rd, 2025 at 10:06am CST by Luke Adams

Hawks center N’Faly Dante has been diagnosed with a torn ACL in his right knee, the team announced today in a press release. According to the Hawks, Dante will undergo surgery in January and will miss the rest of the 2025/26 season.

Dante suffered the injury while playing for the College Park Skyhawks at the G League’s Winter Showcase last Friday. The 24-year-old fell to the floor after awkwardly twisting his right knee following a rebound and was clearly in significant pain. He reportedly had to be carried off the court.

Dante, who finished the 2024/25 season on a two-way contract with the Rockets, was the NBA’s only restricted free agent to sign an offer sheet during the 2025 offseason. He received a two-way qualifying offer from Houston, then signed a two-year, minimum-salary deal with Atlanta that the Rockets elected not to match.

While Dante’s contract with the Hawks was only partially guaranteed for $85,300, he’ll now be assured of receiving his full salary for the 2025/26 season as a result of this injury. Even if Atlanta waives him prior to the January 7 league-wide salary guarantee deadline, the team will be obligated to pay his salary until he gets healthy or until the end of the season, whichever comes first — based on the Dante’s recovery timeline, the season will wrap up before he’s ready to suit up again.

Dante appeared in just four games for Atlanta and four for College Park this season. Prior to tearing his ACL, he was sidelined for over two weeks while going through the concussion protocol due to a head injury that he sustained while playing for the Skyhawks. Friday’s game was his first one back from that injury.

While the Hawks will have the ability to apply for a disabled player exception for Dante, that exception would be worth just $1,024,247, half of his minimum salary ($2,048,494), so it would be of limited use.

Dante is the third player at the back of Atlanta’s roster to sustain a season-ending injury this month. Two-way forward Jacob Toppin underwent season-ending right shoulder surgery earlier in December and was subsequently waived. Another two-way player, Eli Ndiaye, will also require shoulder surgery in early January. Ndiaye remains under contract with the Hawks for now.

Injury Notes: Lakers, Knicks, Daniels, Watson, McConnell

December 22nd, 2025 at 5:33pm CST by Rory Maher

Lakers head coach JJ Redick provided encouraging updates on injured guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves on Monday, tweets Khobi Price of The Southern California News Group.

Doncic, who didn’t play in the second half of Saturday’s loss to the Clippers, has a lower left leg contusion and is considered day-to-day. The 26-year-old had the bruised area taped during the portion of Monday’s practice that was open to the media, Price notes.

Reaves was able to go through portions of Monday’s practice and is also considered day-to-day, Redick said. The fifth-year guard has missed the past three games with a left calf strain the team described as mild.

[UPDATE: Doncic is out Tuesday at Phoenix, but Reaves has been upgraded to questionable, the Lakers announced (Twitter link via ESPN’s Dave McMenamin).]

Starting center Deandre Ayton should return to action on Tuesday, according to Price. Ayton won’t be listed on the team’s injury report after sitting out the past two contests due to a sore left elbow.

Here are a few more injury updates from around the NBA:

The Knicks will be shorthanded on Tuesday, as Eastern Conference Player of the Week Jalen Brunson (right ankle injury management), defensive ace OG Anunoby (left ankle soreness) and backup big man Guerschon Yabusele (illness) have all been ruled out ahead of the contest at Minnesota, per Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter link). Brunson missed a couple of games in mid-November due to a right ankle sprain.
Reigning Most Improved Player Dyson Daniels has been ruled out of the Hawks‘ rematch with Chicago on Tuesday due to right hip inflammation, according to Brad Rowland of Locked on Hawks (Twitter link). It will be Daniels’ first absence of the 2025/26 campaign. Reserve forward/center Mouhamed Gueye is also on the injury report, having been listed as questionable with a right shoulder sprain.
Nuggets forward Peyton Watson, who was kneed in between the hip and rib areas last Monday, had a minor setback in terms of the pain he’s experiencing from the injury, head coach David Adelman said ahead of Saturday’s loss to Houston (Twitter link via Vinny Benedetto of The Denver Gazette). While Watson has been out most of the past three games with the right trunk contusion, it doesn’t sound like a long-term issue — Adelman said the former first-round pick had a 50% chance to play Saturday before he was ruled out.
Veteran Pacers guard T.J. McConnell will be sidelined for Monday’s game vs. Boston due to left knee soreness, as Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files relays (via Twitter). McConnell missed the first 10 games of the season with a strained hamstring, but had been active for the past 18 contests heading into Monday.

Hawks’ Eli Ndiaye To Have Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery

December 21st, 2025 at 10:37am CST by Arthur Hill

Hawks two-way player Eli Ndiaye has suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder and will undergo season-ending surgery in early January, the team announced (via Twitter). The injury occurred during a December 9 G League game while Ndiaye was playing for Atlanta’s College Park affiliate.

The 21-year-old power forward signed a two-way deal in July after spending the past four seasons with Real Madrid in Spain. He entered his name into the 2025 draft, but wasn’t selected.

Ndiaye hasn’t made an NBA appearance yet, but he played nine games with the G League Skyhawks, making seven starts and averaging 8.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 26.2 minutes per night. He was shooting 43.1% from the field and 23.5% from three-point range.

The Hawks have the option to sign another two-way player to replace Ndiaye, although they’ll lose his rights if they release him. Atlanta already has an open two-way slot, with Caleb Houstan as the team’s only other two-way player.

Ndiaye is Atlanta’s second two-way player to sustain a season-ending injury in the first two months of the 2025/26 campaign. Forward Jacob Toppin underwent right shoulder surgery earlier this month and was waived on Monday.