Although the Hawks didn’t make more trades prior to Thursday’s deadline, that doesn’t mean they weren’t active in discussions to try and upgrade the roster, according to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. The Hawks believed trading Cam Reddish to the Knicks last month would help clear the rotational logjam at wing and give clarity to the roster, Kirschner writes.
Atlanta has gone 9-5 since Reddish was dealt. After starting the season a disappointing 17-23, the Hawks currently sit with a 26-28 record, 10th in the East, one game ahead of the Wizards for the final Play-In spot.
The Hawks were in discussions about deals for Ben Simmons, CJ McCollum, and Derrick White, but all fell through for various reasons, sources tell Kirschner. Atlanta called Portland about McCollum before he was traded to New Orleans, but Portland wanted multiple rotation players and draft picks, which tabled the discussion.
For Simmons, the Hawks offered John Collins, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and picks. However, the deal wasn’t seriously considered by the Sixers, as they were set on acquiring a second star. Once James Harden became available, that’s all Philly was focused on.
Some members of Atlanta’s organization were skeptical of Simmons’ potential fit with center Clint Capela, another non-shooter, per Kirschner’s sources. Others in favor of the deal thought that adding an elite defender would help mask Trae Young‘s deficiencies on that end, and that shooting was an overall strength of the roster, which would’ve helped Simmons.
The Hawks offered Bogdanovic for White, but the Spurs wanted a first-round pick as well, which Atlanta declined because it wasn’t clear that White would be an upgrade over Bogdanovic. There were mixed feelings about the deal inside the organization.
Here are some more interesting notes from Kirschner:
- Danilo Gallinari was discussed with Toronto and other teams, but the talks didn’t go far, says Kirschner. It’s expected that Atlanta will field calls about him in the offseason or possibly even consider waiving and stretching him, as his contract for next season is only partially guaranteed at $5MM ($21.45MM total). Moving off that money would help Atlanta stay out of the luxury tax, which ownership is only willing to pay if it believes the club is a true contender.
- The Hawks remain high on De’Andre Hunter and believe a healthy offseason will be crucial to his progress. They’re also happy with Onyeka Okongwu‘s progress as a sophomore, and Kirschner thinks that eventually the team will have to decide whether to keep Okongwu or Capela long-term.
- Collins’ camp denies that he ever asked for a trade, despite reports that he was unhappy. Many teams around the league are interested in his services, which is evident based on his name perpetually popping up in rumors.
- Kirschner believes former Hawk DeAndre’ Bembry would be a good fit for Atlanta’s open roster spot after he was waived by the Nets as part of the Simmons trade. Gary Harris could also be a nice addition, if the Magic opt to buy him out, Kirschner opines.
Bembry is gonna be a fit on every contenders roster in the league, a professional defensively versatile wing is something no one can have too much of, I’m still shocked the Nets waived him, can’t imagine he makes it very far through the waiver order
Really disappointed in Minnesota not going after Collins super hard. It seems he could have been had
Players like this are almost never available but I feel there’s some discontent with him & Atl and the future lux tax is looming so this is one instance I feel he could have been gotten if an aggressive bid was put forth
My proposal was always Beverly and Prince’s expiring the 22 1st 23 swap and 24 1st all unprotected for JC and Lou.
I think Atl accepts that, I think Minny is a top 5 team in West for the next 5 years if so…oh well
No way Atlanta accepts that, they want a young and upcoming player for Collins if they’re trading him. They don’t want nor need possible mid to late round picks..
Now, if you’re talking about Bogdan maybe, idk, but definitely not Collins..
No one wants Bogdan, dude!
Even SAS they didn’t want him for one of the worst guards in the whole league like White, that tells you all you need to know about Bogdan!
They have about 7 young and upcoming players rich, and guess what, they all have to be payed, which doesn’t work all that well when your ownership is unwilling to repeatedly pay the tax
They have a couple options – They can consolidate from that group for 1 “star”
They can trade them for assets like 3 potential first rders (my idea above)
Or they can let them walk for free
Doing nothing (thus keeping everyone) isn’t an option, and ownership has made that pretty clear with the checkbook.
I made it clear I don’t think they should trade JC (ever really, there’s other ways) but he’d bring back the most and it doesnt seem like a happy marriage when the curtains are closed imo
Tell me your idea that works with ATL managing the payroll today and getting the most outta its assets?
I like the Hawks, I really do (tho Im not the biggest TY fan)
They remind me of what the Lakers would have been with No AD trade albeit Lakers not as good as these Hawks
Silver has really made it tough to sustain long hyper competitive windows nowadays if your not willing to go into the tax year after year . Even when you do everything right and draft well theres still going to be hoops to jump thru later….
Not like that in NFL or MLB , you draft like ATL and LAL did you sit back in the shade and just get payed on the fruits. NBA you have to constantly try to reshuffle the talent and ledger twice a year every year. It seems exhausting but it creates movement/trades which fans thoroughly enjoy…Look at the MLB trade deadline its all just salary dumps for minor leaguers blah…NFL well its just non existent
Hawks should’ve gone for Jerami Grant.
Would’ve given up Gallinari, Hunter, Knox and a pair of second rounders for Grant and Olynyk.
Then leaving the hawks with a line up of
1. Trae Young. Wright. Cooper/Mays
2. Kevin Hueter. Bogdanovic. Lou Will
3. Jerami Grant. Johnson. TLC
4. John Collins. Olynyk
5. Clint Capela. Okungwu. Deing
Jerami would be the defensive wing and secondary scoring option. You don’t give or lose much. Hunter is nice but always injured his ceiling is what Jerami Grant is. Gallo is a nice stretch big but Olynyk replaces him easily. Then you give up Knox and two seconds to sweeten the deal.
Off the bench you still have Wright and Bogi in a nice backcourt. Olynyk adds some height and shooting which pairs well with Okungwu and Jalen Johnson gets a bigger role on the wing. Behind them you still have good depth aswell.
Then going into the playoffs you have done well.
Against the bulls you have Capela and Collins clogging the paint and contesting at the rim which hopefully helps slow DeRozan and Vuce, Grant takes LaVine. They would have a tough time stopping Collins and Capela in the paint, and even Grant isn’t an easy match up for DeRozan. Bench wise Hawks have way more options.
Against the Cavs it’s the battle of the bigs. Collins and Mobley are both versatile and mobile, Capela and Allen both dominating the painted areas. Put Grant on Garland and pressure him. On attack can Garland take Trae or would they put Okoro on him in which case does LeVert go on Grant cause that’s a mismatch. Then going to the bench Bogi eats them.
Against the Sixers, very hard match ups but you can try out Grant on Harden and Capela on Embiid. Collins vs Harris, Collins won last year. Thybulle on Trae young, means Grant has Harden which is a mismatch. Then going to the bench we couldn’t stop Bogi last year.
Nothing is easy or win on paper but hawks could’ve packed themselves and surprised a lot of people like they did last year.
Imo Hunter is already as good as Grant, but younger …Yes, he’s been hurt, but with a good offseason taking care of hisself, I think he can get and stay healthy moving forward.
If Hunter were on Detrout and Grant were on the Hawks, Hunter would have a much bigger role offensively, and I think he could outperform Grant’s numbers..
Hunter in his best season put up 16-5-2 shooting 33% from 3 and only played 23 games cause he is always injured.
Jerami Grant currently is putting up 19-4.5-2.6 and last year was a fringe all star.
Both really good defenders, both average three point shooters, both capable at either forward positions. Hunter just has injury concerns and is younger, Grant is Hunters ceiling tbh.
If they swapped teams Hunter would put up better numbers but would be used more and probable even more injured and banged up. Whereas if Grant was on the Hawks you guys would be challenging the Sixers Cavs and Bucks for a home playoff spot.
POR insisted on multiple rotation players and picks from ATL, but somehow pivoted to the package they got from NOP?
Assuming TY is untouchable, then Hunter, subject to his medical situation, should be untouchable (in the NBA sense), more so that anyone else on their roster. Collins is their best all around player right now, but his skill set isn’t as versatile or premium as Hunter’s, and he seems destined to be marginalized playing with TY. I think he’ll be available again this summer, but so will a few other guys, and they’ll likely just make a single deal.
Where’s the Hawk Homer ?????
Since you never want to believe my VISION. Read here and tell everyone who was saying CJ should go to Hawks. Long Ago.
Jus cause a guy can play center. Does not make him a center. Okongwu bio
Position: Center ▪ Shoots: Right
6-8, 235lb (203cm, 106kg)
This is on basketball reference.
This cause he has played all positions. Brons bio.
Small Forward, Power Forward, Point Guard, and Shooting Guard ▪ Shoots: Right
6-9, 250lb (206cm, 113kg)
As we can all see. Bron is bigger in every way physically. Yet you never catch him playing Center. And has anyone ever won with small ball in new era. And please don’t tell me the Warriors. 73 win season. They had 3 seven footers and two 6’10” guys. Their 3 rings and 5 finals appearances from 2015-19. They had 3 seven footers.
Okongwu is not a Center. Neither is Bam. Who did Bam cover in Finals AD right. Why ? Cause he was Lakers center. Huh. Bam is another guy smaller than Bron. These guys can play C. But you will never win with them as your only Center. Heat also had two seven footers.