As the NBA Trade Deadline approaches, there are a few storylines to follow surrounding the Atlanta Hawks.
Though the Hawks are winning and in playoff contention, nobody should expect the club to be serious buyers unless it somehow benefits them in the future. They might not be sellers either, even if they’re listening.
Reports surfaced that Atlanta is willing to listen to trade offers on a couple of veterans, namely Clint Capela, but Bogdan Bogdanovic is receiving a ton of interest. I wouldn’t expect the Hawks to move Bogi unless it was a deal too good to pass up.
The Hawks really shouldn’t be moving anyone. They should be focusing on continuing to build the culture, the foundation of which has been laid through the early parts of the 2024-25 campaign. Capela and Bogi are critical parts of that foundation.
The combination of Capela and Onyeka Okongwu is an incredibly potent duo, and it shouldn’t be broken up for a few measly second-round picks. It’s more important to continue to build that chemistry.
So, what are the expectations for the Hawks at the trade deadline? One former NBA exec turned insider believes the club should be looking for a backup point guard, which should get fans’ attention because the Hawks spent a first-round pick on Kobe Bufkin just a couple of years ago.
“Quin Snyder told you the answer to this question when he opted to DNP Kobe Bufkin and play 6-8 Vit Krejčí in the non-Trae Young minutes in a recent win over the Lakers,” The Athletic’s John Hollinger wrote. “While Bufkin has had his moments, the second-year pro hasn’t clearly staked his claim to the job, and the other options are clearly wanting. Trading either little-used third center Larry Nance Jr. or DNP-chillin’-at-home Cody Zeller for a steady hand in the backcourt would seem to make some sense.”
The 2023 first-round pick has flashed at times but is shooting 38.3% from the field and 21.1% from three-point range while averaging just 5.3 points per game. The Hawks could use another point guard, sure, but I’m not positive that making any move is going to greatly benefit this club.
I would continue to build chemistry and prepare to make a move in the offseason. Giving up on Kobe Bufkin this early into his career may prove to be a mistake.
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