Examining Hawks' Salary Cap, Decisions for 2026 NBA Free Agency after Knicks Loss
After back-to-back seasons that ended in the play-in tournament, the Atlanta Hawks managed to make the playoffs proper.
While Atlanta's season may be remembered, in retrospect, by the decision to deal Trae Young to the Washington Wizards, the additions of players like Jonathan Kuminga, CJ McCollum, and Corey Kispert helped to revitalize the roster.
With standouts like Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu, the Hawks were able to overcome a rough start to the season, win the Southeast division, and avoid the play-in tournament entirely.
Now that Atlanta's postseason has ended against the New York Knicks, though, it's time for head coach Quin Snyder and general manager Onsi Saleh to focus on what comes next. Here, we'll examine the Hawks' looming salary cap situation, biggest pending contract decisions, and potential free-agent targets.
2026 Salary Cap
1 of 3
Saleh was hired after last year's firing of former GM Landry Fields. If Atlanta was hoping that Saleh would be willing to shake things up, it got what it wanted.
So far, Saleh's decisions have the Hawks trending in a positive direction. Following a flurry of in-season moves, though, it'll be interesting to see where he goes from here. Atlanta is only scheduled to have 10 players under contract or facing team options this summer.
The good news is that Johnson, Okongwu Zaccharie Risacher and other young contributors are among those under contract. The better news is that the Hawks should have plenty of financial flexibility. They're projected to be $55.9 million below the first luxury-tax apron and $68.9 million under the second apron.
While free agency isn't expected to be chock-full of superstars, Saleh will be able to make moves. His options may include the trade market or a significant move on draft day, as Atlanta is slated to hold a pair of first-round picks.
Top Contract Decisions
2 of 3
With the Hawks looking to build around their young core, their most difficult decisions will involve shaping the supporting cast. Arguably the most difficult will involve a decision on Kuminga's future.
Atlanta has a team option with the seventh pick in the 2021 draft, meaning it has three options. It can exercise the option at a price point of $24.3 million. It can decline the option and re-sign Kuminga to a multi-year deal, or it can decline the option and allow him to walk.
"There is mutual interest, league sources say, for the Hawks to potentially decline their 2026-27 team option on Kuminga valued at $24.3 million in order for the sides to hash out a longer-term agreement," NBA insider Jake Fischer wrote for The Stein Line (h/t Heavy's Alder Almo).
Additionally, the Hawks will need to decide whether to re-sign McCollum, who will be an unrestricted free agent. Gabe Vincent, Tony Bradley, and Jock Landale are also slated to be unrestricted free agents, while Atlanta has a team option with Mouhamed Gueye.
Keaton Wallace, RayJ Dennis, and Christian Koloko will be restricted free agents.
Free Agents to Pursue
3 of 3
Atlanta possesses the financial flexibility to be one of the league's bigger players in free agency, though that doesn't necessarily mean it will go about chasing the biggest names. Building around youth—and planning for inevitable extensions—appears to be the focus now that Young is no longer part of the equation.
Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley recently examined why the Hawks may not go star-chasing and why a player like Quentin Grimes of the Philadelphia 76ers might be their "dream" target:
"The Hawks could have the funds to aim even higher than this, but the top players on the market feel like curious fits at best. ...Grimes could be a sensible target, then, as a 25-year-old two-way guard who could replace some of the shot-making and creation lost during the Trae Young trade."
Buckley also mentioned Chicago Bulls guard Collin Sexton as a possible target, while admitting that re-signing Kuminga is probably the most "realistic" big move that Atlanta can make.
Harrison Barnes, Isaiah Hartenstein (team option), Deandre Ayton (player option), and Tyus Jones are also among top free agents the Hawks are likely to monitor.
