The season-ending injury to Jalen Johnson has intensified trade rumors surrounding the Atlanta Hawks. GM Landry Fields and assistant GM Kyle Korver are stuck between a rock and a hard place. There’s no real chance for the Hawks to be seriously competitive without their budding superstar in Johnson, but they also don’t own their first round pick in the upcoming draft because of the Dejounte Murray trade, so a full on tank is off the table.
It’s led to a scenario where the Hawks will likely be buyers and sellers at the trade deadline. Veterans Clint Capela and Bogdan Bogdanovic have drawn interest from several teams across the league, and most expect them to be moved prior to the trade deadline.
However, the Hawks have also been linked to Brandon Ingram, a high upside gamble that could replace Capela and Bogdanovic on the roster, giving the team a much higher ceiling if Ingram is able to stay healthy.
There will be no shortage of rumors between now and the February 6th trade deadline, with Hawks CEO Steve Koonin recently saying on 92.9 The Game that phones are ringing off the hook.
Despite years of trade rumors, the Hawks have chosen to hang onto Clint Capela and Bogdan Bogdanovic. That now feels highly unlikely this time around. Moving them will give the Hawks some room to make a bigger splash for a player like Ingram, who can offer Atlanta much more on the offensive end.
However, the top priority should still be focused solely on the future. It doesn’t matter what the Hawks do over the next week, they are not legitimate championship contenders without Jalen Johnson.
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Photographer: Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire
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