Although the San Antonio Spurs did not make any transactions during the recent NBA trade deadline, they remained attentive to the Atlanta Hawks‘ activity, as the Spurs hold two future first-round picks from Atlanta. The Hawks’ recent trade, which sent Trae Young and Kristaps Porzingis to other teams, brought in Jonathan Kuminga, a former top-10 draft pick and ex-Golden State Warriors forward, primarily as a salary match rather than a cornerstone acquisition.
Despite Kuminga’s potential, his role within the Hawks roster is uncertain, especially given the presence of players like Dyson Daniels and Jalen Johnson, both of whom lack strong shooting abilities. Integrating Kuminga alongside them could prove challenging and may not optimize the Hawks’ offensive efficiency.
The Hawks appear to be in a process of short-term decline, focusing instead on building a stronger team prospectively. This downward shift may indirectly benefit the Spurs, who have valuable draft assets tied to Atlanta’s performance.
Spurs Positioned to Benefit from Hawks’ Draft Pick Slide
The Spurs currently hold rights to a pick swap in this year’s NBA draft as well as an unprotected first-round pick from Atlanta in 2027. If the season ended now, San Antonio would secure the 14th overall pick courtesy of the Hawks, a significant improvement from their current 27th position. This leap could provide the Spurs with better opportunities to acquire promising talent.
Furthermore, the Charlotte Hornets, having won nine consecutive games recently, are pursuing the Hawks in the standings. This competition might push Atlanta’s draft slot even lower, potentially down to 12th overall, which would further benefit San Antonio through their trade-related draft rights.
This scenario notably stems from the Spurs’ pivotal trade involving Dejounte Murray, which is shaping up as one of the franchise’s most consequential moves by possibly yielding multiple lottery picks over the coming seasons.
Long-Term Hawks’ Strategy Could Favor Spurs’ Growth
Atlanta’s direction after trading away Trae Young seems focused on rebuilding through the draft, supported by a strong asset base that includes a probable top-five pick this year and substantial cap space totaling around $40 million for the upcoming free agency period. However, Atlanta’s lack of appeal as a free-agent destination may limit their ability to attract established stars, making successful draft selections critical to their future success.
For the Spurs, a slower rebuild by the Hawks increases the chances that Atlanta’s performance falters enough to preserve high-value draft picks that San Antonio can capitalize on. Last season, Atlanta’s absence from the playoffs secured the Spurs a pick used to select Carter Bryant, underscoring how Atlanta’s downturn can directly benefit San Antonio’s roster construction.
The possibility of acquiring an even higher draft pick in a stronger class could offer San Antonio access to top-tier talent, complementing their existing assets and setting the stage for sustained competitiveness in future NBA seasons.
