With the NBA Trade Deadline fast approaching, the leaders of the 30 franchises are busy making the necessary transfers before the fateful date of February 9. Of course, the situation of each team is different, and it is specifically for this reason that we wanted to make a special deadline paper by franchise. Presentation of the issues, issues to watch, intentions on the transfer market… we explain everything to you. First edition today with the Atlanta Hawks.
The Hawks, rather buyers or sellers at the deadline?
With a barely positive record of 24 wins for 22 defeats at the time of these lines, Atlanta is one of the intriguing teams ahead of the next NBA Trade Deadline.
Intriguing already because the results are not up to the ambitions that followed the arrival of Dejounte Murray this summer. Certainly the Falcons have been better for ten days (6 wins in 7 games) but they were aiming for something other than a place in the play-in tournament (8th in the East today).
Intriguing also because we are talking about a franchise that is experiencing a lot of upheaval behind the scenes, with in particular the takeover of Landry Fields in place of Travis Schlenk (former president of basketball operations), the promotion of Kyle Korver in as assistant general manager, the probable arrival of Chris Grant (former general manager of the Cavaliers, who should come to advise Fields), and the growing influence of Nick Ressler – son of owner Tony Ressler – who would be at the heart of many dysfunctions in the within the franchise.
All of these changes inevitably leave some uncertainty hanging over Atlanta’s strategy over the next three weeks. You add to all that a coach like Nate McMillan who seems to be close to the exit following his falling out with superstar Trae Young, and you get a franchise that finds itself in a situation that could be described as unpredictable.
My latest, at @TheAthletic…
Inside the end of the Travis Schlenk era in Atlanta, the Hawks’ new power structure and where they go from here.
Intel on how it went down, the Nick Ressler effect, and insight from Trae, Dejounte and John Collinshttps://t.co/O1bMycbO7v
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) January 13, 2023
The Hawks player(s) who could be transferred
Impossible not to mention John Collins when it comes to the Hawks and the NBA Trade Deadline. It is the main folder to watch. If we’ve been used to seeing Atlanta’s interior in the rumor mill for several seasons now, we may have never been closer to a deal than this year. For the reasons cited above but also because Collins is currently having his worst statistical season (only 13.4 points and 7.8 rebounds on average at 51% shooting) since his rookie campaign in Atlanta in 2017-18. It feels like the time has come to end this collaboration, both on the franchise side and on the player side.
Further proof that the end is near, the Hawks would have lowered their requirements quite a bit recently concerning the consideration they covet in exchange for Collins. The Atlanta franchise could actually settle for a solid player in return, without asking for a first-round draft pick. On the contrary, teams currently negotiating with Atlanta would like a draft pick in return because of the length of Collins’ contract (he has four years left for $102 million, current season and player option in 2025-26). included)…
The players coveted by the Hawks
What are the possibilities for Atlanta in a trade that includes John Collins?
Among the teams that often come up in this file, there are notably the Wizards and the Pacers, but the Jazz would be the most insistent franchise to try to recover the interior of the Hawks. And if the latest news across the NBA is to be believed, Atlanta could be tempted by players like Jarred Vanderbilt et Malik Beasleytwo role players who are heavily involved in Utah’s surprise campaign this year.
We also know that there have been discussions with the Phoenix Suns regarding a potential arrival of Jae Crowder in Atlanta. The latter, in the process of starting on the side of Arizona, seems to interest the Hawks through his profile: experienced player, hard in defense, able to shoot 3-pointers, and who knows the way to success in the Playoffs.
“Utah, Phoenix and Atlanta …those three teams discussed a potential deal. I’m told the deal failed to gain traction when Utah asked for multiple first-round picks.”
NBA Insider @ShamsCharania reports on Suns‘ Jae Crowder (@CJC9BOSS) and his value as well as Hawks‘ John Collins. pic.twitter.com/0btQBLuGDK
— The Rally (@TheRally) December 26, 2022
