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Ranking Atlanta Hawks Potential Trade Targets
One step forward, two steps back. It's been the story for the Atlanta Hawks all season. Last Thursday, they defeated the Phoenix Suns in stunning fashion, only to drop the next two road games against the Toronto Raptors and Dallas Mavericks.
It's no secret that Atlanta's front office is open for business. General Manager Travis Schlenk has wondered aloud if he made the right decision by running it back with the same team as last year. A few weeks later, he dealt Cam Reddish to the New Yorks for little in return.
Since that time, the trade rumors have not slowed down at all. Everyone except for Trae Young (because duh) and Clint Capela (because of a contract stipulation) are available to be traded. With less than three days until the NBA trade deadline, here are the top ten trade targets for the Hawks.
Buddy Hield
For years fans and writers alike have been excited about the thought of an all Oklahoma Sooners backcourt. It's an annual tradition, very much like Groundhogs Day, when a trade rumor between the Kings and Hawks gets traction online.
However, this season there has been significantly less buzz about Buddy Hield. The 29-year-old has been relegated to the Kings' bench and is only averaging 14.4 points and 4 rebounds per game in 28.6 minutes per game. Even worse, he still has two seasons left on his 4-year, $94 million contract. The Hawks are wise to steer clear of this potential trade.
Bradley Beal
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It's without question that Bradley Beal would be a major upgrade in the starting shooting guard position. The 28-year-old is averaging 23.2 points and 6.6 assists per game - which is a modest decrease from his career averages.
As much as I would enjoy seeing Beal in a Hawks uniform, it seems highly unlikely to happen before the trade deadline. Washington's front office has already said they're not trading the soon-to-be free agent, and it's safe to assume they're going to throw a max contract at him this summer.
Gary Harris
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A trade for Garry Harris is far from a blockbuster, but it would be a step in the right direction. The 27-year-old shooting guard averages 11.6 points per game and shoots 38.2% from three. Some lucky team will make a savvy move for Harris this week. Then they will be faced with Harris potentially leaving as an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Talen Horton-Tucker
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The Los Angeles Lakers roster is gridlocked like they're stuck in traffic on the 405. They have no cap flexibility and very few assets. One of the last pieces they have to trade is promising young guard Talen Horton-Tucker. The 21-year-old averages 9.5 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.
The Hawks have already kicked the tires on 'THT' once when they were canvassing the league for a partner in the Cam Reddish trade. They could do the Lakers a favor and throw them a role player like Danilo Gallinari and some future draft picks in exchange for Horton-Tucker and salary cap filler.
Derrick White
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No Hawks player has been mentioned in trade talks more than John Collins. Some of the teams interested in Collins are the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs. A deal with the Spurs would almost certainly include Derrick White.
The 27-year-old shooting guard averages 14.4 points and 5.6 assists per game. Unfortunately, White is in the first season of a 4-year, $70 million contract. If the Spurs have any sort of remorse about making that deal, the Hawks should be cautious.
Jerami Grant
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Luckily for Hawks faithful, the trade talks involving John Collins have cooled off considerably as of late. However, Atlanta's front office did show serious interest in Detroit Piston's forward Jerami Grant.
The 27-year-old averages 19.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. The Pistons have Grant for one more season at $20.1 million and will likely cash out while his value is at its highest.
Jaylen Brown
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No opposing player excites the Hawks fanbase like Boston Celtics shooting guard Jaylen Brown. The 24-year-old All-Star averages 24 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. It's painfully clear to everyone except Boston's front office that Brown and Jayson Tatum are unable to share the backcourt. Brown still has two seasons left on his 4-year, $106 million contract. The Hawks should not wait until he is a free agent again to pursue the local guy.
Ben Simmons
The last time we saw Philadelphia 76ers point guard, Ben Simmons was when the Hawks won Game 7 in Philadelphia last June. Despite the fact that he is only in the second season of a 5-year, $177 million contract. Against all odds, the Hawks have been one of the biggest suitors of a Ben Simmons trade.
However, the trade has lost traction when 76ers General Manager Daryl Morey insisted upon including Tobias Harris in the trade. For all of Simmons' shortcomings, he would make a nice fit on the Hawks roster.
CJ McCollum
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Just this morning, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reported that the Hawks were interested in Portland Trail Blazers' shooting guard CJ McCollum. Much like the Celtics backcourt, it's become obvious the pairing of Damian Lillard and McCollum isn't going to work in Portland.
In fact, Portland's front office has already begun the fire sale last week by dealing Robert Covington and Norman Powell to the Los Angeles Clippers. McCollum is 30 years old and likely on a downward trajectory. Unfortunately, he's in the first season of a 3-year, $100 million contract. I believe McCollum is still an upgrade in the shooting guard spot, but the Hawks have to make additional moves to avoid the luxury tax.
Marcus Smart
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Boston Celtics combo guard Marcus Smart is the potential trade target that excites me the most. The 27-year-old averages 11.3 points, 5.4 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. He is a dog on defense and would provide the toughness that the Hawks so often lack.
Atlanta's front office has already shown interest in Smart. It was recently reported by Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report that they offered Cam Reddish and Kevin Huerter for the veteran guard before eventually going in a different direction last month.
Smart is in the final season of his 4-year, $52 million contract and will likely get another big payday this summer. However, his strengths outweigh his weaknesses (outside shooting) and are worth the risk of making a seismic trade if you are Atlanta's front office.
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