3 trades the Hawks should make

Malik Beasley

 

I’ve wanted to trade for Malik Beasley for quite some time now, and Denver could be an interesting trade partner for the Hawks. He’s seen a very sharp drop in minutes and production – look at the difference between 2018-2019 & 2019-2020:

 

Last Year: 23.2 MPG, 11.3 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 1.2 APG, 47% FG, 40% 3P, 85% FT

This Year: 16.8 MPG, 7.3 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 0.9 APG, 40% FG, 39% 3P, 90% FT

 

Beasley is going to be a 23-year-old restricted free agent, but with his production dip, the Hawks have the money to keep him on a reasonable deal. Even with Cam Reddish and De’Andre Hunter, the wing rotation is pretty thin. Malik Beasley would instantly become the best scorer coming off of our bench, and a 2nd unit guard rotation of Teague and Beasley would be miles ahead of what the Hawks started with this year.

The team may have some concerns over Beasley cutting into Reddish’s minutes, but the second unit is so weak; I don’t see that being something they should worry about. A package of the Nets pick, and a guy like DeAndre’ Bembry could entice a Nuggets team that’s defensive focused. Not to mention, they probably won’t be able to afford Beasley.

Denver ranks as the 7th highest cap sheet in the NBA. Bembry would be cheaper to extend, and the extra draft pick will undoubtedly be of interest. The Nets pick seems like a steep price to pay, but I think this draft class is pretty thin, and Malik Beasley is going to blossom into a volume scorer in the NBA when he’s given the right opportunity. He went off for 27 points last week on 56% shooting, and his career-high for points is 35. Beasley’s also an Atlanta native as the cherry on top. If the Hawks don’t make this trade, and he leaves Denver as a RFA, he’ll turn into a 20 PPG scorer somewhere else. Book it.

 

Dion Waiters

 

Bad, bad money. Call this the Allen Crabbe trade for 2020. Waiters has one year left on his deal and woo boy, it’s not pretty. He hasn’t logged a single game this year since being suspended for ten contests after having a panic attack on a flight when he consumed an edible. Combine that with the ongoing bickering between him and the coaching staff; Waiters has outstayed his welcome in Miami. He has not appeared in a game this season despite making $12.1 million, and his salary increases to $12.65 million for 2020-2021.

With a less than superb free agency class, taking on bad money here makes a lot of sense. Miami could attach their first-round pick to Waiters in exchange for something like a second-round selection. Travis Schlenk can waive Waiters, use him in a limited setting, or potentially even trade him if he plays well (like Crabbe). Hell, perhaps he could even provide something for the Hawks. Lord knows they need some scoring off the bench.

Either way, the first-round choice is the real prize. This pick won’t be in the lottery as good as Miami has been; they currently hold the two seed in the East, but it can still provide value. We’ve seen Atlanta package together picks to move up in the draft as they did for De’Andre Hunter.

 

Dewayne Dedmon

 

I’ve touched on this before, and there was a report that a Dedmon trade has already been discussed in Atlanta’s front office. Dedmon would be an example of bringing in another guy who can help and still take on some bad money with a pick attached. He has a $1 million buyout in 2022 so his $13 million would only be on the books for this season and next. Since I’ve already mentioned this upcoming free agency class is pretty uninspiring, a deal like this or the Waiters one makes a lot of sense. The Kings probably wouldn’t attach a first to Dedmon, but I think Atlanta could still get some valuable 2nd rounders AND a guy who will give the Hawks meaningful minutes. He’s had a horrendous 2019-2020, a far cry from his time with Atlanta.

 

Dedmon 2018-2019: 25.1 MPG, 10.8 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1.4 APG, 1.1 BPG, 49% FG, 38% 3P, 81% FT

Dedmon 2019-2020: 13.8 MPG, 4.9 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 0.3 APG, 0.5 BPG, 40% FG, 21% 3P, 81% FT

 

Dedmon has already been fined for publicizing a trade request. He was a good fit in our system, and you know he’d be eager to get back to those 2018 numbers. Unload a young player who isn’t in the rotation or on an expiring deal like Evan Turner and pick up some 2nd round picks.