What happened: Atlanta reshaped the margins of its roster heading into 2026-27, adding guard Devin Carter for next to nothing and bringing in bench wing Aaron Wiggins on a declining deal worth roughly $17 million across two years. The Hawks also kept Jonathan Kuminga in the fold after picking up his path through the Kristaps Porzingis trade with Golden State, while opting to fully guarantee a veteran salary used largely as filler.

Why it matters: The moves matter because Atlanta is trying to stay flexible while leaning on low-cost, high-upside players who fit the current timeline. Carter and Wiggins carry minimal downside, but the Kuminga question looms largest: at 23 with rare athleticism, his $24.3 million number forces a decision between a new deal and letting him walk in free agency, a choice that grows more pointed now that Porzingis is locked in with the Warriors.

What to watch: Watch whether Atlanta re-signs Kuminga or lets him reach the market in 2027, and whether the guaranteed veteran money signals a follow-up salary-matching trade.