The Atlanta Hawks are looking to improve their perimeter defense, and one player who could help them achieve that goal is Grant Williams. Williams, a 3&D forward, played 36 games last season for the Charlotte Hornets, shooting 38.8% from deep and having a defensive rating of 110.8 when on the court. The Hawks are interested in acquiring Williams, who is on an expiring $14.2 million dollar contract, to address their perimeter defense issues. Williams has been a critical part of excellent teams in the past, including the Boston Celtics, where he single-handedly swung Game 7 of the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals in favor of the Celtics. He has also been able to guard multiple different types of players in the postseason. The Hawks don't need to make an aggressive, all-in move for a star this summer, but rather continue to add veterans who can address some of the roster's issues without crippling their future. Williams is an interesting target for the Hawks that makes more sense upon further inspection. He's not quite athletic or big enough to be a PF, but he's on an expiring contract and played 52 total games over the past two seasons. Clearly, the time to move on and get something of value is nearing. The Hawks have been struggling with their perimeter defense, ranking 12th in opponent 3P% last season. However, they finished 14th in opponent 3PT% in the playoffs, and their defense still doesn't translate to the playoffs as a whole. They need someone who can stay on the court on both ends, and Williams could be the answer. The Hawks could also pursue other players to improve their perimeter defense, but most of them would be decently expensive to acquire. Williams is an exception to that, and the Hawks could acquire him as part of a larger move. The Hornets have some interest in Domantas Sabonis, a 30-year-old, three-time All-Star, but the Kings have been hoping to land one of Charlotte's two first-round picks in the deal. The Hornets have signaled a desire to retain their picks and discuss Sabonis later in the summer. Sabonis has two seasons left on his deal, worth $45.4 million next season and $48.6 million in 2027-28. The Hawks could also consider other players, such as Miles Bridges, who is on a expiring contract and has been playing well for the Charlotte Hornets. However, the Hawks need to be careful not to overpay for players, and they should focus on adding veterans who can address their roster's issues without crippling their future. The Hawks have a good chance of making the playoffs this season, and they need to be careful not to make any moves that could hurt their chances. They should focus on adding players who can help them improve their perimeter defense and make a deep run in the playoffs.
Club News · 2 min read
Atlanta Hawks Trade Rumors: Hawks Acquire 3&D Forward Grant Williams
·2026-06-11·2 min read
