Hawks intent on keeping McCollum

The Atlanta Hawks are moving forward with their backcourt rebuild, and CJ McCollum has emerged as a key figure in those plans. After turning the page on the Trae Young era, the franchise sees the veteran as an essential presence and hopes to retain him for next season. Acquired in the blockbuster deal that sent Young out, McCollum brought leadership, experience and a polished offensive profile that quickly fit into Quin Snyder’s system. He played 41 regular‑season games, starting 25, and opened every matchup in the first‑round playoff series, becoming a steady anchor in the rotation.

Even with their desire to keep McCollum, the Hawks are expected to remain active this summer. Holding the eighth pick in the 2026 Draft, they have a real chance to add another guard, with prospects such as Keaton Wagler, Mikel Brown Jr., Darius Acuff Jr. and Kingston Flemings linked to the team. Atlanta aims to stay flexible as its backcourt evolves.