Bleacher Report gave three trade targets for the Hawks approaching the February trade deadline. While there’s still some time, the Hawks don’t have to wait that long to make a splash. I proposed three potential blockbuster trades yesterday, but I don’t love a lot of the fits. The Hawks are in a weird position; they have a lot of talented young pieces but not much cap space. They also shouldn’t look to parlay their future into an average player.
In the same breath, there aren’t currently any huge superstars available that would fit what they need. The best course of action is getting a couple of reliable three-and-d wing defenders while De’Andre Hunter, Bogdan Bogdanović, and Cam Reddish battle back from injuries. The Hawks are shooting from 3 at the best clip in the NBA at 38.6%, with the highest offensive rating. However, their defense ranks in the bottom five, but injuries have played a role in that. Zach Buckley correctly identified a few guys that would help in that facet, and I’ll be creating a trade package for each, if applicable.
F David Nwaba – Houston Rockets
I mentioned Nwaba as a potential free-agent target for the Hawks this offseason, and he makes a lot of sense with the Rockets nowhere near contention. Nwaba is on a reasonable three-year, $15 million contract. He’s only 28 and has the length to guard multiple positions. Problems arise with Nwaba’s shooting. He’s shooting an ugly 7.7% from 3, and he’s only giving Houston a little over 4 points and 3 rebounds per game. However, Nwaba has shot at a decent level in the past, canning 34% from 3 in 2017-2018, 32% in 2018-2019, and 43% in 2019-2020. Maybe a change in scenery would help, but I can’t justify giving up anything of value for a good, not great defender that can’t hit shots.
David Nwaba cannot be traded until March 3rd because he signed with Bird Rights with a 20% salary raise, and the Rockets are over the cap. Since Nwaba’s final year of his deal is non-guaranteed, the Hawks could potentially waive it to make this work. Still, Nwaba is not a player that’s worth potentially going into the Luxury Tax for. Hypothetically, you could send Solomon Hill and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot as expiring contracts to make the salary work.
F Garrett Temple – New Orleans Pelicans
Temple is a similar player to Nwaba, but with much better shooting and slightly less defense. He is a very steady player and a seasoned vet, but on a three-year, $15 million deal, the Hawks have to be careful with many guys getting big raises next season. Still, Temple is shooting 36.2% from three and can give a team solid defense. The final year of his contract is also non-guaranteed. Solomon Hill and TLC can’t be traded until mid-December, but this would be similar to a hypothetical Nwaba trade. Expiring contracts, Temple is off New Orleans’ books, and the Hawks throw in a couple of second-round picks, including New Orleans’ own pick that Atlanta has the rights to.
Hawks Trade: Solomon Hill, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, 2023 Second Round Pick (From New Orleans), 2024 Second Round Pick (Swap Best)
Pelicans Trade: F Garrett Temple
G Trey Burke – Dallas Mavericks
Burke is definitely the hardest player to craft a deal for. His contract is more reasonable, but he’s giving the Mavericks about what Delon Wright is giving the Hawks. Burke is not a lockdown defender, but he is knocking down almost 42% of his threes on 1.8 per game. He’s making $3.1 million this season with a $3.3 million player option next season before becoming a free agent. With Delon Wright offering better defense and Lou Williams providing scoring, I’m not sure who the Hawks give up for Burke. There’s no way I’d part with Sharife Cooper or Jalen Johnson for him. Perhaps the Mavericks would be interested in Gorgui Dieng, but that would make a thin Hawks big-man rotation even thinner. Dieng can’t be traded until December 15th, but that’s about all I have for this one. I don’t think this would be a good move for the Hawks.
Hawks Trade: Gorgui Dieng, 2023 Second Round Pick (From Chicago or Brooklyn)
Mavericks Trade: G Trey Burke
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