Latest Hawks Rumors on CJ McCollum Contract Talks, Surprise NBA Draft Target at No. 8 Overall

The Atlanta Hawks could target a center with the No. 8 pick in the 2026 NBA draft despite the pending free agency of starting guard C.J. McCollum, NBA insider Jake Fischer reported Tuesday.

McCollum, who was sent to Atlanta as part of the Trae Young deal in January, will hit free agency if the Hawks don't finalize an extension for him by the June 30 deadline.

Fischer, who has reported since that trade the Hawks were interested in re-signing McCollum, wrote Tuesday that "Atlanta remains hopeful about its chances" of bringing the veteran guard back.

According to Fischer, however, the Hawks could look to add to both the backcourt and frontcourt even if McCollum returns.

"Sources say that the Hawks are interested in coming away with another downhill ballhandler to complement Jalen Johnson over a longer term," Fischer reported.

Fischer continued: "The Hawks, though, are also looking to fortify their center rotation beyond Onyeka Okongwu, sources say, which has some rival executives describing Atlanta as a team that could potentially select Michigan big man Aday Mara with its turn at No. 8."

ESPN's Jeremy Woo previously named the Hawks as one of the teams "in play" for Mara alongside the Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman predicted in his latest mock draft that the Hawks would target Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr. at No. 8.

Wasserman projected that at that point Mara would still be on the board before going at No. 12 to the Thunder.

"After measuring 7'3" barefoot with a 9'9" standing reach, Aday Mara has started to look unique with nearly unmatchable advantage-creating physical traits," Wasserman reported. "The numbers at Michigan backed up that idea—Mara finished fourth in the nation in box plus-minus with a rare combination of 12.0 block percentage and 19.0 assist percentage."

How much the Hawks value the playmaking Mara displayed at Michigan could influence whether the team targets him with their lottery pick or uses the selection to provide Johnson with backcourt help when the 2026 NBA draft starts next Tuesday in Brooklyn.