Is Anthony Davis the X-factor for Dyson's Hawks?

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Could Anthony Davis be the man who can transform the Atlanta Hawks from an exciting young team to a genuine Eastern Conference title contender?

The Hawks, who boast a core of developing young talents - headlined by Australia's own Dyson Daniels and the likes of Jalen Johnson, bit the bullet and traded star point guard Trae Young to the Washington Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert.

It was a move which signalled the franchise's intentions to lean in further to their rising stars but also lean in to a long, athletic and disruptive style of play defensively - something Young definitely didn't fit.

However, the Hawks still need a big man and have been linked to Davis since the firing of Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison with the former Los Angeles Lakers championship star seen as a perfect fit to protect the paint alongside the pieces Quin Snyder already has at his disposal.

But could a deal actually get done? ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks recently broke down how the trade could work.

"(Atlanta is) going to be linked with Anthony Davis until the trade deadline. They do need size, is Anthony Davis the guy," he said on an ESPN podcast.

"I think there's a couple factors here. One, how do you get to the number when you're looking at Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kennard and if there's are um resistance to add Zaccharie Risacher, you basically got to, not match but get within the trade exception.

"You've got to get within roughly 50 to $52 million and then have enough to fill out your roster if you're doing a three-for-one type trade and still stay under luxury tax year. So, I do think that becomes a challenge."

"But this Atlanta team, they need size. I mean, they're with Kristaps Porzingis in and out of the lineup. I don't think you can count on him to be available consistently here and Onyeka Okongwu who's been good for them but he's your he's your only consistent big out there.

"I do think in Atlanta I think they know that there's a priority to try to get healthy and there's there's there's a priority to get size here.

"So, we will keep an eye on what the Hawks do, who are hanging on for one of these finals playing positions, something that we all did not think was going to happen."M

Marks' comments comes almost a month after Senior NBA Insider Chris Haynes reported the Hawks were "very intrigued" by the possibility of acquiring the 10-time All-Star.

"Sources tell me the Atlanta Hawks remain very intrigued with the possibility of acquiring Anthony Davis via a trade," Haynes said on NBA on Prime's Nightcap show on December 26 (US time).

"Now the Hawks, out of all the suitors who are interested... they possess a pretty attractive asset package that can make things interesting.

"If you look at where AD is at in his career, he has this season and next season left and after that he can become a free agent with a player option, so any teams that try and acquire him will have to really consider giving him an extension.

"Dallas would likely want expiring deals, young assets and picks and probably to include the No.1 pick from last season in Zaccharie Risacher.

"The Hawks and Dallas, that's something to definitely monitor looking ahead to the trade deadline."

The Hawks desperately need help on their roster, having lost their past four games and sitting at 20-25 in 10th place in the Eastern Conference.