Hawks Acquire NBA Champion in Surprise Trade With Western Conference Contender
· Yahoo Sports
The Atlanta Hawks are actively working on bolstering their roster a few days before the 2026 NBA Draft. After agreeing to a one-year, $21 million contract extension with CJ McCollum on Sunday, according to Shams Charania, the Hawks are adding depth to their backcourt.
With Gabe Vincent set to be an unrestricted free agent, Charania reported the details of a trade that will land the Hawks another NBA champion.
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Hawks Add Aaron Wiggins in Unexpected Trade with Thunder
The Hawks’ perimeter rotation behind projected starters CJ McCollum, Dyson Daniels, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker needed to be addressed. Buddy Hield and Corey Kispert are still on the roster, but Atlanta seemingly wanted a player with championship DNA who could also spread the floor.
To fill that hole, the Hawks turned to the Thunder, a team that has made depth one of its biggest strengths.
Charania broke the news of the trade on X, writing, “The Oklahoma City Thunder are finalizing a trade to send guard Aaron Wiggins to the Atlanta Hawks for two second-round picks (Atlanta’s in 2030 and the least favorable of the Hawks/Lakers in 2032), sources tell ESPN.”
The Thunder had a backcourt gridlock, a situation that Atlanta pounced on. OKC boasts Cason Wallace, Ajay Mitchell, Jared McCain, Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe, and reigning back-to-back MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, leaving Wiggins as the odd man out once the playoffs started.
From 21.8 minutes per game in the regular season, Wiggins’ playing time dropped to 5.8 mpg in the postseason. On another team with a less-talented backcourt, he would have likely seen more playing time.
A career 38.0% shooter from deep, Wiggins adds a much-needed outside threat for the Hawks. After the Luke Kennard trade, Atlanta sorely lacked a shooter who could open up the floor.
Vincent failed in that role, shooting just 30.0% from 3 after shooting 36.9% before his midseason trade to the Hawks. In the playoffs, Vincent continued to struggle, finishing Atlanta’s first-round series against the New York Knicks with a 33.3% efficiency mark from long range.
Wiggins is on a team-friendly deal. He signed a five-year, $45 million contract with the Thunder in 2024, marking a reasonable price for the Hawks, who will also add a first-rounder on Tuesday.
The Hawks finished the 2025-26 season with a 46-36 record, securing the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference. After retaining McCollum and adding Wiggins, the draft could be the final piece of the puzzle that will help them take another step next season.