The Hawks, who have been linked to centers like Andre Drummond, Steven Adams, and Dewayne Dedmon in recent weeks, also expressed trade interest in Spurs big man Jakob Poeltl, reports Michael Scotto of Bleacher Report.
The Spurs typically don’t make many in-season trades and Poeltl hasn’t really been cited as a trade candidate this winter. Still, the Hawks may have been interested to know whether the former lottery pick is in San Antonio’s long-term plans, since he’ll be eligible for restricted free agency this summer. The 24-year-old center is averaging 5.2 PPG, 5.7 RPG, and 1.4 BPG in a part-time role (17.6 MPG) for the Spurs this season.
While nothing may end up happening with Poeltl, the report is the latest indication that the Hawks are surveying the market for a center who could potentially fit in their frontcourt alongside John Collins.
Let’s round up some more items out of Atlanta…
- Trae Young thinks the Hawks’ “exciting young players” will make prospective free agent targets seriously consider Atlanta in the offseason, as he tells Scotto. Multiple agents who spoke to Scotto agree that the Hawks will be a major player in free agency, though some pointed to the team’s significant cap room as the primary factor. “Every team that offers money would be considered,” one agent told Scotto. “An agent that says otherwise is just lying or stupid. They need to add quality veterans to help the young guys. Atlanta would be under consideration.”
- In that same conversation with Scotto, Young said it’s still too early to judge the 2018 draft-night blockbuster between the Mavericks and Hawks, despite Luka Doncic‘s success in Dallas this season. “[Doncic’s] on a team, and they’ve got more veterans and is a team that’s more looking to win now,” Young said. “We’re more of a team that wants to win now, but we’re focusing more on developing, and we’re one of the youngest teams in the league. It’s just two totally different situations, so it’s just hard to really judge who won or lost [the trade] right now.”
- Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk has been patient since assuming control of the front office in 2017, biding his time as the club accumulates draft assets and young prospects. Jonathan Tjarks of The Ringer takes a look at whether Schlenk can realistically maintain that patient approach going forward, with Atlanta’s roster in need of some help.
Doncic gets more recognition but Hawks got a franchise player in Trae Young as well who’s just as good at scoring. Doncic is a more complete player but Hawks didn’t lose the trade by any means. 28ppg and 8asp most teams would kill for that kind of production from their pg.
Uhh the Hawks definitely lost that trade, any way you slice it. Sure, Trae isn’t bad. He has his weaknesses as well, mind you. But Luka is in a completely different league of his own, we’re talking about once in a generation type of player here. Trae is obviously not that. The Hawks obviously lost this trade, BIG time.
Trae Young is a poor man’s Steph Curry, nothing more.
Then what’s Harden? A poor man’s Monta Ellis?
Is that supposed to be a bad thing?
You certainly can’t blame the Hawks for making that trade, as no one expected Luka to be THIS good. With that said, with Trae’s porous defense and lack of rebounding, he will forever remain a notch below Luka.
Of course, given that the trade also netted the Hawks Cam Reddish—a fact people seemingly never remember—it’s impossible to grade it at this point in time, although Cam’s offensive numbers haven’t been encouraging thus far. Only if he were to somehow to become a good/very good two-way player could we argue that the Hawks broke even.
True on that. Literally NO ONE thought Doncic was going to turn out to be this. Young is still a very good player, but yes, the Hawks would take a redo if they could.
Man, every european though Luka could be so good.
Young and Doncic are completely different players. Young draws Curry comparisons, while Doncic gets LBJ comparisons. Definitely right now I’d take Doncic but Curry didn’t blossom into an elite talent until his 5th year in which he averaged 24 and 8.5, whereas Trae in his second season is averaging 29/8.5/4.5. Statistically Steph didn’t have a season that good until he was named MVP in 2015. His 7th year in the league.
Looking down the track I think Doncic if he can keep playing his good is a contender for being a top 10 player ever but that’s a huge if.
Young probably doesn’t have that ability but if he continues to get better like he is and continues to play this good I can him having a case for top 30 but again that’s a huge if
In terms of sophomore years Doncic is having a top 5 sophomore year, but Young is probably having a top 10 sophomore year also.
Definitely think Trae Young deserves more respect tho.
Poetl could be cheap pick up if he’s not in spurs plans. And I think he could be a decent contributor if given more minutes.
Mavs won the trade.
The losers were. It the Hawks or the Mavs. The Suns are the losers.
*Were not
Saying Schlenk has been patient is kind. He took over a winning team, with one of the best young coaches in the game. That team, no doubt was in need of retooling with Horford and Millsap poised to leave as UFAs if they didn’t get maxed. But was a complete evisceration of the roster, and pushing out that HC so he could play Sam Hinke, really the only possible approach? Anyway, he’s in Year 3, same as the Stooges, and after all his supposedly clever moves to stockpile assets, he’s neck and neck with them in the standings.
People, across the game, actually did know Doncic was this good, or at least that he was far and away the best player in an excellent 2018 draft. Some FO’s were just talked out of it in the months before the draft, and not by their scouts. Phx and Sac at least had some good reasons. Atl didn’t; other than a GM who wanted to prove how smart he is.
Doncic vs Young comparisons are like the old LeBron vs Melo comparisons. They won’t age well.
Good background. Schlenk in trouble? I liked his sharp turn, but the payoff has not happened yet. Young (and/or others) may not be a match for that youth-dependant program. Young seems to equate winning with experienced players even as he brags about ATL’s youth.
What would ATL reasonably be willing to part with that would also interest spurs? Maybe one of their two 2020 picks?
Don’t see them moving one of their young piece (Hunter, Reddish) at this point, which is what spurs would want.
Deal would probably only cost them a second round pick if Poetl isn’t in there plans. He’s a bench player on an expiring contract.
Nah, he’s much more valuable than a mere expiring as a RFA, say nothing of acquiring team getting bird rights.
The only thing that would move the needle for spurs (assuming ATL is not including one of their rookies) is probably one of ATL’s two 2020 first rounders. And even then, would that be much of an upgrade in a crap draft?
But if the spurs do not care to keep Poetl that’s what the hawks are asking getting a second for him would be a good deal.
It all depends do the spurs wan to keep him and if they do then at what cost would you rather this or that.
I can guarantee you that Poetl on an expiring deal is not worth a first or any rookie that the hawks have
The 1st they are owed from Brooklyn is lotto protected if I remember correctly. In this draft Jakob (the former #9 pick btw) is better value IMO, but the spurs may value that differently and prefer the pick instead.
Whether he’s in their future plans or not is irrelevant at this point. You don’t just give away stuff away for free, especially if him being a RFA gives spurs all the leverage to match offers.
Again, it’s not a mere “expiring deal.” He’s a RFA giving ATL loads of power.
Nice debate, but my takeaway is that Trae is saying himself what last year was comically said by Shlenk & team management– odd because luring top FAs seemed unlikely. An HR writer even did his part to help draw talent, to no avail.
Probably management was doing Trae a favor, or thought they were.
The stories of Trae & Doncic keeps unfolding.
Drawing talent may be easier this offseason for ATL, but there is less talent to draw.