The upcoming NBA season in the Eastern Conference appears wide open, with key players sidelined and teams reshuffling to capitalize on this uncertainty. The Indiana Pacers, last year’s surprise conference champions, face a significant challenge as Tyrese Haliburton will miss the season. Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics, traditionally strong contenders, will be without Jayson Tatum due to an Achilles injury sustained in the second round. The Milwaukee Bucks bolstered their roster by acquiring Myles Turner but lost Damian Lillard in the process. Only the New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, and Cleveland Cavaliers are certain postseason participants at this stage, creating openings for other franchises.

Amid this backdrop, the Atlanta Hawks are aggressively positioning themselves to contend. After trading for Kristaps Porzingis from the Celtics and drafting Georgia power forward Asa Newell, the Hawks made two significant free agent additions. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, a guard from the Minnesota Timberwolves, joined the Hawks via a four-year, $62 million sign-and-trade deal. They also signed Luke Kennard to a one-year, $11 million contract. Furthermore, Atlanta secured an unprotected first-round pick from the New Orleans Pelicans during draft night. Their moves suggest an intent to exploit the Eastern Conference chaos, though the Hawks could still improve at small forward or add an additional ball-handler.

Golden State Warriors Eye Roster Enhancements Following Playoff Exit

The Golden State Warriors, eliminated in the second round by the Minnesota Timberwolves, are evaluating their roster needs to strengthen their chances next season. Although acquiring Jimmy Butler at the trade deadline bolstered their lineup, defensive weaknesses and inconsistent shooting were exposed during the series. Julius Randle proved problematic for the Warriors, while the team endured scoring droughts in Curry’s absence. Addressing Jonathan Kuminga’s uncertain contract status presents a clear path for improvement.

Kuminga, a restricted free agent, and the Warriors have yet to reach a contract agreement. The 19-year-old wing is reportedly unsatisfied with Golden State’s two-year, $45 million offer, seeking instead a longer-term deal. Interest from the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings is on the rise, with both teams willing to offer longer contracts. However, the Suns’ proposed trade package lacks any first-round picks and includes players such as Royce O’Neale and Nick Richards along with multiple second-round picks. If Golden State declines this offer, other teams like the Pacers may step in with stronger proposals, especially given Indiana’s flexibility this season.

Indiana Pacers’ Strategy in the Absence of Tyrese Haliburton

With Haliburton sidelined for the year, the Pacers find themselves without immediate title prospects, allowing them to experiment with new roster configurations. A potential starting lineup could feature Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Jonathan Kuminga, Pascal Siakam, and either Jay Huff or Isaiah Jackson. Kuminga’s versatility and athleticism might fit well alongside Indiana’s shooting threats, and the team could leverage its 2027 first-round pick in trade discussions. Since that pick is unlikely to be highly ranked and Haliburton is expected to return by then, the Pacers’ risk is relatively low.

Imagining a Three-Team Trade: Filling Needs Across Hawks, Pacers, and Warriors

Speculating on a three-team trade reveals how each franchise might address specific gaps by exchanging valuable assets. This hypothetical deal would send Trayce Jackson-Davis and future second-round picks to the Atlanta Hawks, Jonathan Kuminga to the Indiana Pacers, and Obi Toppin, Mo Gueye, plus a 2027 unprotected first-round pick to the Golden State Warriors.

Hawks Receive: Trayce Jackson-Davis, 2030 second-round pick (via Golden State), 2031 second-round pick (via Minnesota/Golden State)
Pacers Receive: Jonathan Kuminga (sign-and-trade, three years, $68 million, $28 million salary in year one with player option in year three)
Warriors Receive: Obi Toppin, Mo Gueye, 2027 first-round pick (unprotected, via Golden State)

Analyzing Why Each Team Might Agree to This Trade

Atlanta Hawks’ Potential Gains and Considerations

The Hawks would acquire Trayce Jackson-Davis as a potential third-string center, addressing a positional need. Despite falling out of the Warriors’ rotation last season, Jackson-Davis has shown promise, including averaging 1.1 blocks as a rookie and memorable defensive plays such as blocking Giannis Antetokounmpo three times in one game. In Golden State’s Game 2 loss to the Timberwolves, he demonstrated scoring ability with 15 points and six rebounds. Although not a shooter, his athleticism makes him a viable lob threat and defender if given opportunity.

On the downside, Jackson-Davis’ difficulty fitting into playoff contenders and limited offensive impact could restrict his overall value. Additionally, his 6’9″ height may be short for traditional center roles.

Indiana Pacers’ Motivation and Risks

Jonathan Kuminga’s potential is highly enticing to the Pacers. During the Timberwolves series, he scored 30 points in Game 3 without Curry, showcasing his athleticism and finishing ability—converting 72% of rim attempts, which ranks in the 87th percentile among wings. A standout skill is drawing fouls, where Kuminga ranked in the 94th percentile for percentage of shots fouled. While not yet a lockdown defender, he displays defensive potential intermittently and could help offset rim pressure lost with Turner’s departure. His presence alongside shooters like Nesmith, Nembhard, and Siakam might grant him more space to operate effectively.

However, Kuminga’s defense remains a concern, and his contract cost is significant. The Pacers would only have one season before Kuminga’s player option activates, limiting long-term flexibility. Moreover, Obi Toppin’s prior contributions during Indiana’s playoff push may influence the team’s willingness to part with him.

Golden State Warriors’ Strategic Gains and Constraints

The Warriors would bolster their frontcourt depth by adding Obi Toppin, a player capable of operating as a small-ball center with playoff experience alongside a lead creator akin to Curry. Toppin’s 36.5% three-point shooting on reasonable volume fits well with Golden State’s spacing philosophy. Mo Gueye represents a promising defensive project, posting an 87th percentile block percentage and 96th percentile steal percentage in Atlanta last season. Though Gueye’s foul rate needs adjustment, his potential as a versatile backup big man is notable.

The major drawback for Golden State is the significant contraction of their financial flexibility, a concern given a current roster of only nine players. The Warriors reportedly have agreements in place or interest in players like Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton, both of whom might be casualties of this trade.

Broader Implications for the Eastern Conference and Future Prospects

This trade proposal highlights how struggling teams may use flexible assets and player potential to reshape rosters amid an unpredictable Eastern Conference. With top teams like the Celtics and Pacers facing key absences, opportunistic franchises like Atlanta seek to leverage depth and draft capital. Meanwhile, the Warriors’ pursuit of frontcourt improvement illustrates how limited roster flexibility drives complex trade negotiations.

Ultimately, Jonathan Kuminga’s situation remains pivotal; his decision and team interest could trigger significant moves impacting multiple franchises. The Pacers’ willingness to absorb his contract and gamble on his development, coupled with the Hawks’ search for bench improvement and the Warriors’ desire to bolster defense and shooting, creates a dynamic trade landscape heading into the offseason.