With only eight teams remaining in the NBA Playoffs, the offseason has officially begun for 22 franchises. The Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, and Memphis Grizzlies are among the teams entering a critical summer, each with different priorities.
Atlanta Hawks: The Hawks are expected to be one of the more interesting teams to monitor. While there’s been talk of trading Trae Young, it seems unlikely for now. Instead, Atlanta may stick with a core of Young, Dyson Daniels, Zaccharie Risacher, Jalen Johnson, and Onyeka Okongwu. If they go that route, strengthening the bench becomes essential. Because of the league’s financial restrictions, especially under the new CBA, multi-team trades could become more common, and Atlanta might benefit from jumping into one. Their main needs are interior defense, frontcourt depth, and reliable shooting — areas that may be better addressed via trade rather than free agency, which is relatively weak this year.
Brooklyn Nets: Brooklyn has a lot of flexibility heading into the offseason, thanks to ample cap space and a collection of draft picks. Their direction will depend on whether they see players like Cam Johnson and Nic Claxton as part of the future. The NBA Draft Lottery could also influence their strategy, and they might decide to hold off on any big moves until after that.
Memphis Grizzlies: Memphis is at a crossroads. The once-promising trio of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. has not lived up to expectations, and Morant’s disappointing and turbulent season hasn’t helped. He’s already appeared in trade rumors, and the Grizzlies may consider moving him if the return package improves their long-term outlook.
Proposed Three-Team Trade:
Hawks Receive: Cam Johnson
Nets Receive: Ja Morant, Terance Mann, Mouhamed Gueye, 2025 first-round pick (via Lakers from Atlanta)
Grizzlies Receive: Nic Claxton, 2025 first-round pick (via Knicks from Brooklyn), 2026 & 2028 second-round picks, 2029 second-round pick
Why Atlanta might do it: Cam Johnson is an elite shooter and a strong fit next to Trae Young. Adding him would bolster the starting lineup without sacrificing size and could make the Hawks a playoff-caliber team while avoiding the luxury tax.
Why Atlanta might pass: Giving up a first-round pick and key rotation pieces could be too steep for Johnson, especially if the front office still believes in their current bench or highly values the Lakers’ pick.
Why Memphis might do it: The Grizzlies get significant draft capital and a defensive anchor in Claxton to pair with Jaren Jackson Jr. It resets their roster while maintaining a strong defensive identity.
Why Memphis might pass: Ja Morant’s upside is still incredibly high, and the return—while solid—might not reflect his full value, especially since the picks aren’t particularly high and the Claxton-Jackson fit could be questionable.
Why Brooklyn might do it: This move gives the Nets a potential franchise player in Morant and adds depth through Mann and Gueye, along with a draft pick. It could be a foundational step toward building a competitive roster.
Why Brooklyn might pass: Morant’s off-court issues and availability remain major concerns. Even with his talent, the deal doesn’t guarantee a big leap forward, and the supporting players might not be enough to significantly change their outlook.
