Major Update on CJ McCollum & Quin Snyder’s Hawks Future Ahead of Must-Win Game 6

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Ahead of a do-or-die Game 6 tonight, a major update has emerged on the futures of Atlanta Hawks leader CJ McCollum and head coach Quin Snyder.

On Thursday night, the Hawks must score a win over the New York Knicks or see their season come to an end in the opening round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. While that would be a disappointing end, this was a very productive season for Atlanta, which gives reason to expect bigger seasons ahead.

The 2025-26 season will be remembered as the year the Hawks underwent a major facelift. After several seasons with Trae Young as the face of the franchise, they traded the four-time All-Star and pivoted to the Jalen Johnson era. Following the All-Star break and the trade deadline, the Hawks went 20-6, and Johnson played a major role in their strong finish. However, another player was equally important.

In the January trade for Young, the Hawks acquired CJ McCollum. While he was originally viewed as an addition to make the money side of the trade work, the 13-year veteran has emerged as a valuable leader of a mostly young team. However, he is in the final year of his contract. Will the Hawks bring him back or let the player, a few months away from his 35th birthday, walk in free agency?

It will be the latter. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, “Atlanta’s plan is to bring back McCollum” on a new multi-year deal this summer.