The Atlanta Hawks entered the 2025-26 NBA season with high expectations, widely regarded as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. However, like many teams integrating new pieces, the Hawks have needed time to find their rhythm. Unfortunately, time is a luxury they can hardly afford, especially after losing Trae Young to a knee injury that will sideline him for at least four weeks. The sprained MCL is a serious setback, and Atlanta will be cautious not to rush his return.
Without Young on the floor, the Hawks have struggled to establish any offensive flow. Following a recent loss to the Toronto Raptors—marking their second defeat to the Raptors this season—the Hawks fell to a 4-5 record. In their Friday night NBA Cup contest, the offense was stagnant, shooting just 34.4 percent from the field and an abysmal 23.7 percent from beyond the arc. The team sorely missed Young’s pull-up shooting and elite playmaking abilities at the point guard position.
In Young’s absence, players like Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker were tasked with taking charge of the offense. However, these players are still developing and not yet equipped to fill the large void left by Young’s creative talents. The Hawks’ roster was specifically built around Young’s skill set—he thrives alongside rangy, lengthy defenders, which motivated Atlanta to bring in players like Alexander-Walker and Kristaps Porzingis.
Without their floor general, the Hawks have looked somewhat lost, with Johnson and Daniels forced to step into roles that may not fit their current abilities. Despite these challenges, there’s little reason for Atlanta to panic. The team will likely focus on staying afloat in the weaker Eastern Conference until Young’s return, maintaining hope that continuity and time will restore their form.
### A Trade Proposal: Hawks Pursue Keon Ellis from the Kings
While the Hawks may hesitate to pursue a high-profile playmaking guard, partly because such players are rare and rarely available via trade, there is a compelling alternative to bolster their roster. The Hawks should consider acquiring Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis, offering guard Vit Krejci and two second-round draft picks in exchange.
It may seem counterintuitive to target a player who isn’t a primary ballhandler or shot-creator like Trae Young. Superstars such as Luka Doncic, James Harden, or LaMelo Ball—the kind of “heliocentric” offensive leaders—are not realistic trade targets, especially with Young’s imminent return. Other notable guards like Jordan Poole, CJ McCollum, or Anfernee Simons either come with hefty contracts or are currently dealing with injuries. The point guard market is simply dry.
However, rather than trying to imitate what Young does, the Hawks might find more success by doubling down on their defensive and athletic identity. Keon Ellis fits this narrative perfectly.
### Who is Keon Ellis?
Ellis, an undrafted guard out of Alabama, has established himself as one of the league’s best lockdown defenders whenever given minutes. He began earning increased playing time with the Kings at the end of the 2023-24 season, playing a crucial role in their play-in tournament victory over the Golden State Warriors. Ellis relentlessly chased down elite shooters like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, effectively disrupting their rhythm and contributing to their poor shooting nights.
Despite his defensive prowess, Ellis has struggled to carve out a consistent role in the Kings’ rotation. Sacramento’s coaches, Mike Brown and Doug Christie, have favored more offense-oriented guards like Malik Monk and Zach LaVine for the starting shooting guard spot. The Kings further crowded their backcourt this offseason by signing Dennis Schroder and Russell Westbrook, pushing Ellis further down the depth chart. His playing time has diminished to a few limited minutes, such as during Sacramento’s recent NBA Cup loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
### Why the Hawks Should Pursue Ellis
It doesn’t make sense for the Kings to overlook Ellis, considering he is exactly the type of low-usage, defense-first player who complements ball-dominant stars. With Ellis out of favor in Sacramento, the Hawks have an opportunity to buy low and acquire a quality defender who can help offset Young’s defensive limitations.
Ellis would form a formidable defensive trio alongside Alexander-Walker and Daniels, helping the Hawks become more consistent on the less glamorous end of the floor. Offensively, Ellis has his limitations but is a capable shooter, knocking down over 40 percent of his three-point attempts this season in limited minutes. Hawks fans will also remember how Ellis drained nine three-pointers last year against Atlanta in a thrilling 109-108 Kings win.
With Young feeding him and the Atlanta coaching staff’s trust, Ellis could thrive in an expanded role as a sharpshooter and defensive stopper. Unlike his situation in Sacramento, Ellis is unlikely to face a crowded backcourt in Atlanta. While the Hawks have Young, Daniels, Alexander-Walker, and Luke Kennard, these players complement each other well, reducing the chance of positional conflicts.
### What the Kings Get in Return
For Sacramento, trading Ellis for Vit Krejci and two second-round picks is a sensible move. The Kings appear uninterested in featuring Ellis prominently, and gaining assets in return makes strategic sense. The Hawks can capitalize by acquiring a motivated, defensively minded guard who fits their team identity and helps bridge the gap until Trae Young returns.
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In summary, the Hawks’ immediate challenge without Trae Young is significant, but not insurmountable. By targeting players like Keon Ellis, Atlanta can reinforce their defensive capabilities, maintain competitiveness, and prepare for their star’s eventual comeback. For now, patience and smart roster moves will be key for the Hawks as they navigate this early-season adversity.
https://clutchpoints.com/nba/atlanta-hawks/1-overreaction-trade-hawks-must-target-after-trae-young-injury
