Heading into the offseason, the Hawks have $116,704,230 in guaranteed contracts next season, and the salary cap for the upcoming season is going to be $165 million. While they might not have the financial flexibility of, say, the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, or Brooklyn Nets, the Atlanta Hawks are in one of the better positions when it comes to finances heading into this offseason, and that is going to give them plenty of avenues to improve their roster. One of them is opening up a lot of cap space to go and chase a major player in free agency or via trade. Here are three ways in which they could operate with lots of room this offseason. 1. Don't bring back CJ McCollumApr 28, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) controls the ball against New York Knicks guard Jose Alvarado (5) during the second quarter of game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn ImagesIs CJ McCollum going to be signed to a long-term extension worth lots of money at this point in his career? No, but if the Hawks want to have the flexibility to go after Austin Reaves to fill the backcourt scoring role they need, it would mean that McCollum is not going to be in Atlanta after a productive end to the season. McCollum played 41 games for the Hawks after being traded from Washington in the Trae Young trade and he averaged 18.7 PPG and 4.1 APG on 46/38/75 shooting splits and was a clutch performer for the Hawks in the playoffs, winning games two and three vs the Knicks with clutch shots late in the game. Now, if Atlanta opts to not bring back McCollum, they need to have a clear plan in place to replace him and that is the only scenario in which I see that happeing. If the Hawks felt like they had a realistic shot at Reaves or could pull off a big trade (Kyrie Irving), then McCollum is not likely to be back. If McCollum is brought back, then I would expect it to be on a 1-2 year deal. 2. Jonathan Kuminga's team optionApr 23, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga (0) drives on New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby (8) in the third quarter during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images