At 27-27, the Atlanta Hawks are in the middle of the pack, and well below, their lofty expectations for this season. Following the trade to acquire Dejounte Murray from the San Antonio Spurs this past summer, Atlanta looked poised to take the next step toward title contention. For whatever reason it may be, whether it was injuries, team chemistry or leadership, the team has not panned out and has hovered around the .500-mark nearly all season.
The trade deadline marks a very important juncture for the club: go get someone that can help the team win now or sell off players for parts and pieces? As currently constructed, the roster looks like it is still missing a piece. Yet, when the starting five of Trae Young-Dejounte Murray-De’Andre Hunter-John Collins-Clint Capela take the floor, the Hawks boast a 16-8 record overall. Only problem with that is they have only been able to get on the court together 24 times out of 54 games this season. It is frustrating to say the least, when on paper the Hawks have an All-Star backcourt, and a very formidable frontline with Hunter-Collins-Capela.
The trade deadline can be used as a tool to bolster this roster and get this team moving in the right direction. With the right trade, Atlanta can work on climbing the Eastern Conference standings, as they are only five win’s behind the fourth-seeded Brooklyn Nets and two win’s behind the division-leading Miami Heat.
Let us take a look at some potential trade targets across the league and what the Hawks would need to do to acquire that talent.
**DISCLAIMER: full trades would include draft pick compensation from Atlanta and/or trade partners, this is to demonstrate that the financials would work.
O.G. Anunoby (F/TOR)
Anunoby has been dangled in trade rumors since December, especially with the current trajectory of the Raptors franchise. Head Coach Nick Nurse has potentially lost the locker room, amid multiple reports, and even he himself is being questioned as the man to lead the Raptors through a full rebuild, if the team does go full fire sale mode. There was a report that an anonymous team offered the Raptors three first-round selections for Anunobys’ services. If he truly is available, the Hawks need to kick the tires on this one.
Anunoby checks a lot of boxes for the Atlanta Hawks. He is one of the best defenders in the association, which would greatly help the Hawks 22nd-ranked defense. Anunoby is currently averaging a stat-line of 16.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.1 steals, and has shown improvement year-over-year during is six-year tenure.
Thaddeus Young, the former-Georgia Tech product, gets thrown in to make the trade work. He could be a valuable role player for Atlanta down the stretch.
The Hawks finally decide to part ways from John Collins after years of trade rumors, and the change of scenery may be something that helps his career go to the next level. The Raptors also get a nice young player, in Jalen Johnson, that can be part of their rebuild and future plans. Throw in some draft compensation and both team’s walk away happy.
Buddy Hield (SG/IND)
The Pacers are in the thick of the Eastern Conference play-in tournament race. It is hard to predict if they will be buyers or sellers at the deadline, but the team does have a nice group of young talent. Considering a trade for Hield, gives players like, Aaron Nembhard and Chris Duarte, a chance to show where they fit in for the franchise’s long-term plans.
At first glance, this trade seems pretty lateral for both clubs. Bogdanovic and Hield are nearly identical players, as catch-and-shoot, perimeter players that are both 30 years old. Hield is a career 43.2% shooter from the field, 40.1% from three and 86.4% from the line. In comparison, Bogdanovic is 43.8% shooter from the field, 38.3% from three and 81.9% from the line.
Bogdanovic could be argued as the better play-maker with his passing ability, but Hield offers a bit more reliability on defense and shooting. Both players may be the same caliber, but being on a different roster could help both players flourish in different ways.
Holiday is thrown in to make the money work out and the Hawks add another Oklahoma Sooner sharpshooter to their roster.
Brandon Ingram (F/NOP)
Now this would be an absolute blockbuster deal, and a dream-scenario for most Hawks’ fans. Landing a player of Ingram’s caliber, and putting him next to guys like, Murray and Young, raises this team’s ceiling exponentially.
Ingram could become the instant focal point of the offense for Atlanta, letting Young assume his primary distribution-role and making him more of a secondary scorer, while Murray becomes the tertiary scorer with perennial All-NBA defense potential.
Now Ingram’s injury history has been shaky, but so has Hunter for the Hawks, and Ingram’s offensive prowess is more established. In addition, Atlanta finally gets a long-term back-up solution at point guard, acquiring Devonte’ Graham, who was originally drafted by the Atlanta Hawks.
New Orleans had a fantastic start to the season, that saw them as high as the one-seed in the Western Conference. Since then, they have come crashing down to earth and potential change is not out of the question, especially for a franchise that has David Griffin in their front office. In this trade scenario, the Pelicans amass a pretty decent haul of young players, and most likely draft compensation, as well.
With Zion Williamson healthy, the Pelicans increase their depth and have a potential starting five of Jose Alvarado-C.J. McCollum-De’Andre Hunter-Zion Williamson-Jonas Valanciunas/John Collins, while still having players like, Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III, off the bench for small-ball scenarios.
Again, this is could be more of a pipe-dream, but digging deeper it is not as far-fetched as one would think.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
- Josh Hart (SG/POR)
- Delon Wright (PG/WAS)
- Eric Gordon (SG/HOU)
- Malik Beasley (SF/MIN)
- Bones Hyland (PG/DEN)
What do you guys think the Hawks should do? Stay put, make moves, or a complete fire sale? Do any of the players above interest you? Let us know in your comments below.
I think our TOP priority is to say goodbye to Nate!
Once he is gone, consider bringing in Atkinson or Mark Jackson.
John Collins has to go, and I would see if Denver would do an even swap for Michael Porter.