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The Hawks asked for a capela replacement. If they have identified Nurkić as this player, Mission has accomplished. The veteran is under contract until 2025-2026 to 19.4 million dollars, which helps Atlanta to avoid a larger and long-term investment in this position until he sorts the next Trae Young contract (The leader has a player option of $ 49 million before 2026-27).
Hachimura gives the team a short -term replacement of Jalen Johnson, who is absent for the season with a shoulder injury. Atlanta owes his choice in the first round to the San Antonio Spurs, so Tanking for the draft position is not an option. Hachimura will earn $ 18.3 million next season, offering Hawks flexibility to decide which players best adapt (Zaccharie Risacher ,’Andre Hunter, Hachimura) alongside Johnson and Young.
The Hawks will remain under the luxury tax this season and the next one, which is part of their motivation to get out of Bufkin. Bufkin is also finished for the year with a shoulder injury and may never have appropriate development time with the emergence of Dyson Daniels.
Atlanta maximizes flexibility while remaining competitive this season. In addition to the two important commercial exceptions (which do not express before February 2026), Nurkić and Hachimura will be on expired contracts. They should be relatively easy to move if better opportunities arise.
The Hawks also send Krejčí, Roddy and Gueye, but they add two starting caliber players. The other incoming players (Davis, Baldwin, Bol and Wood) are not as important but are necessary to make the agreement legal. Atlanta also gets a second round for her troubles.
