The Hawks brought in a major acquisition ahead of last Thursday’s trade deadline, trading for center Clint Capela in a four-team deal that featured 12 different players.
General manager Travis Schlenk also traded Jabari Parker and Alex Len to Sacramento in exchange for Dewayne Dedmon and a pair of second round-picks, later acquiring Skal Labissiere and cash from Portland for a 2024 second-round pick.
The deals received high praise from observers around the league, none more important than one figure in particular: All-Star point guard Trae Young.
“It’s hard to tell because we haven’t played with each other,” Young said when asked how good this current group of players could be, as relayed by Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. “I think once we play with each other well really be able to feel if it’s going good. Everyone wants instant gratification and instantly knowing what’s going to happen and what we should expect, but we really don’t know until we play with each other. I feel like it’s going to be great for us but I don’t really know until we play together.
“I definitely feel like a lot of teams made some good moves, but we are up there with making some of the biggest moves. We got some really good guys and I definitely think we are one of the winners of the trade deadline.”
Atlanta now sports a promising core of Young, Capela, Kevin Huerter and John Collins, along with young talents such as De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish. The one major question remains how far this group could go in the improving Eastern Conference.
“I think we’re right there,” Young said. “I think we’re ready to make that jump.”
Here are some other notes from the Southeast Division:
- Magic forward James Ennis hopes to find some stability with his new team, Luis Torres of the Orlando Sentinel writes. Ennis, a proven six-year NBA veteran, saw his playing time suddenly decrease in Philadelphia and was traded to Orlando in exchange for a second-round pick last week. Ennis consulted with family members and agent Scott Nichols of Rize Management before ultimately waiving his no-trade clause and accepting the trade. “It came down to what was best for me,” Ennis said. “I gave up a lot in the summer to go [back] to Philly so it was time for me to be selfish. When I saw Orlando wanted me, I was like, ‘I’m gonna go there.’ I feel like it’s a good fit.”
- Magic head coach Steve Clifford was fined $25,000 by the NBA for verbally abusing game officials, the league announced in a press release. The incident occurred at the end of the team’s loss in New York last Thursday.
- Mavericks guard Seth Curry would welcome the opportunity to play in his hometown in Charlotte with the Hornets at some point in his career, Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer relays. “I’d love to,” Curry said following the team’s win against Charlotte on Saturday. “If the opportunity came about, I would embrace it.” Curry’s contract with Dallas runs through 2023, so he’s expected to remain with the Mavs for the foreseeable future.
Seems like Seth is trying to get waived.
Dallas still owes him $24.5M so I seriously doubt it happens.
Why would he want to get waived? He’s on a better team and fits in well. He led the team in scoring the other night after starting the game 10/10
Seems like he was just answering a question and being honest
Also what else is suppose to say “Nah, I don’t ever want to play for my home team.”
I would not list Capela as part of a young core yet. He may not be the right pairing for John Collins, or have enough solo offense. It’s a mystery, like Houston’s no-big lineup.
Well whether he fits or not is not really relevant. He is likely going to be there a while. That makes part of the core.
People considered Zion a part of the Pelicans core before he was even drafted.
I get what you are saying, but it makes sense to call him core.
Collins isn’t really a Center (at least that what everyone keeps saying lol)….Hawks defense is atrocious and getting Capela and even a great backup in Dedmon makes them better in that regard even if its only for 2 seasons while they keep rebuilding. They’re realistically at least 2 seasons from making some legit noise so they timing works out pretty good i think
Capela is a season finishing core player. Think he becomes a huge trade chip this summer.
Hawks made some excellent moves with future upside.
I don’t think it possible to be a temporary core player. Everyone is temporary in reality, a contradiction, but “core” gets used to imply someone will be present and important for a while.
Thus Capella’s greatest value may be as a trade chip– moreso than Dedmon who may never have that contract value again, but still be effective paired with a Collins.
I love how Reddish isn’t even part of the team’s core. Great lottery pick.
Reddish is 20.
Reddish at #10 is been good so far… Hunter at #4 has been totally & atrociously bad!
That’s simply not true. He’s been average for a rookie in the NBA. It’s easier to see his flaws because he is playing 30-plus minutes per game.
Atlanta have a good core and have some decent back ups.
They also have a good amount of cap space having recently brought out Parsons and having Teagues expiring deal.
I wonder if the front office try’s to speed up the rebuild and brings in a star player to help Trae and to be a leader.
DeMare DeRozan could be interesting, he would be a good SG add some scoring and all that but he is 30 and will want 1 last good pay.
Maybe the hawks offer him 30m/3years with a team option or something like that.
Having Capela Collins and Dedmon is a good mix for their bigs and having DeRozan Hunter Reddish and Heuter as their wings rotation would be good