3 Potential Hawks Draft Day Trades

With the news that multiple teams are interested in acquiring a high lottery pick, the Hawks make a lot of sense as a trade partner. However, do the teams interested make sense for the Hawks?

 

Sources: The Timberwolves are attempting to acquire a second lottery pick. They’ve had talks with the Hawks for #6. A possible deal could include Jarrett Culver and #17.

A number of teams are interested in Atlanta’s #6 pick—the Pelicans and Celtics being among them, sources say.

— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) November 11, 2020

 

Some teams have more to offer than the others, and I’ve already made a push for trading 6 for Bradley Beal. However, I’ll stick to the organizations named in the most recent reports. 

 

Trade 1

 

Celtics Get: Pick 6

Hawks Get: Pick 14, Future 1st (Top 20 Protected), G Carsen Edwards, F Grant Williams

At Pick 14, the Hawks take: PG Cole Anthony, North Carolina

 

Look, I know people want to see Marcus Smart here, but the Celtics aren’t trading him for anyone that’s tradeable on the Hawks roster. Edwards fills a need as a backup PG, but he had a rocky 2020 after exploding in the Summer League. Grant Williams makes for a nice rotational wing. He’s on the shorter side for a PF at 6’6, but his three-point shot is developing nicely. 

To be honest, this is my least favorite of the trades. Boston doesn’t make much sense as a partner for the Hawks unless Schlenk works some real magic. I’d rather keep the 6th pick than take two lottery tickets, 14, and a future late first-round selection. As far as Cole Anthony, I have no idea why he’s falling in the draft like he is. UNC stunk out loud this season, but he’s still a big combo guard that averaged 19 PPG & shot 36% from three. I think he would fit well next to Trae Young, and when picking at the end of the lottery, you take a lottery ticket. As I mentioned, I probably wouldn’t make this trade.

 

Trade 2

 

Pelicans Get: Pick 6, Future First (Top 20 Protected)

Hawks Get: SG Jrue Holiday

 

A trade partner during the last draft, New Orleans — like Boston — doesn’t fit very well as a trade partner this season. Jrue Holiday has been connected to the Hawks a few times, and he would undoubtedly provide some juice to Atlanta’s defense. I am very much in favor of trading this pick for a good player; however, he’s 30 and is expected to decline his $27 million option for next season. He would help Atlanta now, but there’s risk. I’d do this over the Celtics trade, but I’m still not over the moon about it. It would be fun to see Trae Young next to another All-Star caliber guard, especially one that can play exceptional defense like Holiday. 

 

Trade 3

 

Timberwolves Get: Pick 6, Pick 50

Hawks Get: Pick 17, G Josh Okogie, G Jarrett Culver, G Malik Beasley

At Pick 17, the Hawks take: PF Jaden McDaniels, Washington

 

Credit to our social media intern for this idea. On the surface level, throwing in Malik Beasley may seem like an overpay for Minnesota. However, it’s still a possibility after his multiple felony charges back in September. He’ll likely be facing a lengthy suspension, but if Minnesota will do this deal, I’m with it. If they want to give Beasley another chance, take out Pick 50 and run it back as is. 

Josh Okogie is the piece I covet — he fills the need of backup PG and is clamps on defense. His scoring output isn’t there at 8.6 PPG, and his three-point shot needs a lot of work, but his defense and ball-handling will play. I’d love to bring the Snellville native and Tech alum home. 

Jarrett Culver has been a bit of a disappointment since being picked 6th overall last season, but he’s still oozing with potential and has defensive upside as well. There was a lot of noise about him when the Hawks traded up in 2019, but he only shot 30% from three this season.

I wanted to trade for Beasley during the last draft, but it may have been best not to after his run-ins with the law. Another Atlanta native, he is still a 39% volume three-point shooter. I like his upside if he’s not going to prison, and he’s still innocent until proven guilty. 

As far as Jaden McDaniels goes, I really love this pick at 17. I don’t want another guard if Atlanta is acquiring three (or two) from the T-Wolves, so he gives the frontcourt depth and TONS of upside. The freshman out of Washington averaged 13 PPG, 6 RPG, and 1.4 BPG for the Huskies in 2020, and he just turned 20. He shot 34% from three, which profiles him as a new age stretch 4 with defensive potential. He’s very raw but so physically gifted. 

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