Fresh off a 19-6 closing run that earned a sixth-seed finish and the distinction of being the only team to beat the New York Knicks twice in the postseason, the Atlanta Hawks aren’t resting. They’re building.

The first move came quietly: a double second-round pick deal to pull Aaron Wiggins out of Oklahoma City, according to insider Shams Charania. The deal will send Wiggins to the Hawks for Atlanta’s 2030 second-round pick and the least favorable of the Hawks’ and Lakers’ second-round selections in 2032.

The implications run deeper than just a depth addition. This Atlanta franchise boldly moved on from Trae Young and found a new winning identity late last season. Now it’s stacking pieces around that identity with intent.

For OKC, already holding the No. 12 and No. 17 picks in the upcoming draft and with first-rounders banked through 2032, second-round picks are surplus currency. For Atlanta, Wiggins is an answer to a specific problem. He would enter the side as a proven two-way contributor with championship experience.

Plus, the deal would give Oklahoma City massive luxury tax relief, as per ESPN‘s Bobby Marks. The franchise’s tax penalty for next season would go from $213 million to $152 million. Considering the fact that the Thunder have a good amount of depth in the backcourt, it would make sense to prioritize tax benefits over retaining Wiggins.

Regardless, the 27-year-old has built his reputation as a high-IQ wing, standing 6-foot-5 with a reported 6-foot-10 wingspan. Wiggins would offer versatility on defense and floor spacing on offense, serving as a consistent secondary scoring option from the bench.

Jalen Johnson has emerged as a legitimate star at the Hawks. Dyson Daniels brought elite defensive energy. CJ McCollum provided veteran firepower off the bounce, enough to earn a one-year extension after commandeering the offense down the stretch.

Wiggins will now slot in as the 3-and-D wing this rotation was missing: someone who stretches the floor and doesn’t need the ball to affect the game. And alongside Jonathan Kuminga, that’s a credible two-wing bench combination.

The 2025 champion averaged 9.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in 21.8 minutes per game last season, numbers that profile a reliable rotational wing who never had the stage to prove he could be more. In OKC’s dominant playoff run, he saw just 5.8 minutes per game. In Atlanta, however, that changes.

Financially, the Hawks don’t seem to face any long-term risks. Wiggins is set to carry a cap hit of roughly $9 million next season before dropping to approximately $8.1 million in the next two years. This gives the Hawks depth without significantly impacting their financial equation.

While the Hawks already look competitive with their current addition, a recent trade report might even make them contenders! The Trey Murphy III saga.

Will the Trey Murphy injection work in the post-Trae Young Hawks era?

While Aaron Wiggins adds depth, Trey Murphy III would give the young Hawks unit a proper facelift. According to Pelicans insider Jake Madison, New Orleans has held talks with the Hawks involving the No. 8 overall pick and Murphy. With the New Orleans side looking for a makeover since Brandon Ingram’s exit, this move will be the big first step. Historically, the Pels kept Murphy untradable. But now, they’ve reportedly moved toward a ‘win-now’ mentality.

So, acquiring a promising young talent or star could present an interesting option. Multiple trade rumors with Murphy have flooded over the past few weeks, including a move to the Golden State Warriors (Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody go the other way). Meanwhile, the Hawks’ interest seems simpler.

The Hawks’ new identity runs on pace, shooting, and defensive versatility. McCollum commands the offense. Johnson anchors the forward line. What’s been missing is a high-caliber starter on the wing, someone who raises the team’s ceiling in a playoff series rather than simply filling minutes. Murphy fits that role.

The 26-year-old is coming off a breakout campaign, averaging 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game with a shooting split of 47%/37.9%/ 88.6%. He’s the prototypical modern wing, a floor-spacer who can guard multiple positions and create off the bounce when called upon.

While the Hawks have assembled a deeper roster, they still need a high-caliber wing as a starter. Murphy would fit exactly there. So, swapping the No. 8 pick for Murphy is a win-win for both, especially given the talent available in the 2026 draft class.

In the East, where the Knicks remain the benchmark, and the Celtics loom as a perennial threat, Atlanta needs a competitive roster and a realistic path to the conference finals.

A starting lineup of McCollum, Daniels, Murphy, Johnson, and Kuminga, with Wiggins providing proven two-way depth off the bench, is constructed to compete in seven-game series, not just earn a bracket spot.