Atlanta Hawks general manager Landry Fields discussed the team’s activity ahead of the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline on Friday morning. In the aftermath, many focused on his lukewarm comments about the viability of the Trae Young–Dejounte Murray pairing. However, the most notable comment Fields made may have come towards the end of his media availability. Addressing the $25.3 million trade exception the team generated when they shipped John Collins to the Utah Jazz, the Hawks must use that roster-building tool by Jul. 8.
Subsequently, several trade targets for this summer come to mind as Atlanta looks to build itself into a championship contender.
9 Realistic Targets For Hawks With $25.3 Million Trade Exception
At this point, the core of the Atlanta Hawks’ rotation is Young, Murray, Jalen Johnson, Bogdan Bogdanovic, De’Andre Hunter, Clint Capela, Onyeka Okongwu, and Saddiq Bey. With this core, their primary areas of need have proven to be on-ball defense and defensive rebounding. Shoring up their off-ball shooting appears to be a secondary area of need, as the Hawks rank in the bottom-half of the NBA in 3-point percentage (36.4).
With that in mind, the positions where the most minutes are available are on the wing and at center. So, without any further ado, here are nine realistic targets for the Hawks with their $25.3 million trade exception.
Andrew Wiggins ($24.3 mil)
Andrew Wiggins is a player that many speculated could be on the move ahead of the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline.
A key player during the Golden State Warriors’ title run in 2022, Wiggins seems to have lost his spunk over the past year. Having altered his iso-heavy game to more of a 3-and-D specialist role in Golden State, his shot diet is no longer what scares teams off. At this point in his career, it’s the uncertainty about what Wiggins will provide night to night. With that said, Wiggins seems to have regained his footing over the past month, averaging 14.3 points, 1.1 blocks and 0.8 steals per game over his past 11 contests. Averages aside, the former Rookie of the Year is also shooting 52.5 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from 3.
Bruce Brown ($22.0 mil)
Another one of the most notable names on the trade block ahead of the 2024 NBA All-Star Break, 2023 NBA champion Bruce Brown will remain with the Toronto Raptors for the remainder of the season. However, it’s far from a guarantee that Brown stays with the Raptors for longer than that. Not only was Brown featured heavily in trade rumors over the last few weeks, but he’s also set to get paid $23.0 million next season. Before that figure kicks in, Toronto may be inclined to release Brown, as he’s underwhelmed in 2023-24.
However, the Atlanta Hawks could have interest in Brown due to his perimeter defense, defensive rebounding, and playmaking.
Lonzo Ball ($20.5 mil)
Lonzo Ball hasn’t played an NBA game since Jan. 14, 2022, nearly 25 months from today.
At the mercy of a tricky knee injury that was even thought to be career-threatening, Ball was recently seen shooting during a Chicago Bulls practice, inspiring confidence in his eventual return to the hardwood. When he returns, Ball frankly may not be relied upon in the way he was prior to his injury given the severity of it. However, two of his best skills shouldn’t be affected by his injury; his ability to facilitate and shoot 3s at a high level. The jury will be out on his defense. Nonetheless, with his length at 6-foot-6 and instincts, so long as Ball hasn’t lost too much of a step then he should still be effective in that area as well.
Marcus Smart ($18.8 mil)
When the Memphis Grizzlies traded for Marcus Smart, it was to replace defensive specialist Dillon Brooks. However, it’s been breakout wing Vince Williams Jr. who appears to be the most apt replacement for Brooks in the 3-and-D role. Consequently, Smart could find himself available for trade following the season. This seems especially plausible with the strength of Memphis being the starting backcourt of Ja Morant and Desmond Bane. In that event, the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year could be attractive to the Atlanta Hawks.
The main question is whether or not the Hawks value his perimeter defense enough to look past his disheartening career 3-point percentage.
Gary Trent Jr. ($18.6 mil)
Toronto Raptors wing Gary Trent Jr. is another multi-positional defender. Moving his feet well and often staying in front of his man, his on-ball defense will pay dividends for the Atlanta Hawks. Moreover, though the former second-round pick isn’t exactly Ray Allen from deep, he’s very reliable. Trent has made 39.0 percent of his 3-point attempts over the past five seasons. He’s even shooting a career-high 42.0 percent from 3 this season.
Now on the final season of a three-year, $51.8 million contract, the Atlanta Hawks would have to agree to a sign-and-trade to acquire the sharpshooter.
Norman Powell ($18.0 mil)
Los Angeles Clippers wing Norman Powell has been one of the better players in the Association for a while.
Averaging 16.9 points per game over the past five seasons while shooting above 41 percent from 3, he’s gotten it done as a starter and off the bench. This should appeal to the Atlanta Hawks. Not only do the Hawks still need to find the right perimeter grouping but they also need to manage the egos of their younger players. Furthermore, Powell’s no-nonsense approach to defense benefits a team that often plays with too little of concerted effort on that end. Having won a championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019, his veteran leadership could provide an intangible boost as well.
Lu Dort ($15.3 mil)
Continuing with the theme of enhancing their perimeter defense, the Atlanta Hawks could try to cook up a Lu Dort trade. The Oklahoma City Thunder have amassed perhaps the best collection of young talent in the NBA. However, the problem with that is that at some point, those players will come off of their rookie contracts and demand sizable salaries.
In the case of the Thunder, this could mean a player such as Dort becomes the odd man out as organizations try to manage their salary commitments. If so, the Hawks would be wise to check the price on the 24-year-old. Dort is an aggressive, intuitive, and athletic on-ball defender that can play both wing positions. His outside shooting is a concern. However, Dort is shooting a career-high 38.4 percent from deep this season and has made over 40 percent of his corner 3s over the course of his career.
Robert Williams III ($11.6 mil)
Let’s shift the focus away from the perimeter defense, momentarily.
A major area of improvement for the Atlanta Hawks is on the defensive glass. Ranking 23rd in defensive rebounding this season, the Hawks are often unable to close out defensive possessions. Not only does this result in their opponent receiving another chance to score, but it also puts Atlanta’s defense in a bad position to stop them from scoring. Unfortunately for the Hawks, there aren’t simple solutions to this problem this season. However, after the season, the Hawks could make a call to Portland about Robert Williams III. An elite shot-blocker and defensive rebounder, the injury-prone Williams underwent season-ending knee surgery in November.
P.J. Tucker ($11.0 mil)
Los Angeles Clippers forward P.J. Tucker is perhaps the most available player listed, as the veteran has only played 173 minutes for L.A. this season. Yet, Tucker also has a $11.5 million player option on his contract next season that he may feel inclined to pick up at the twilight of his career. Enter the Atlanta Hawks.
Although Tucker doesn’t offer much outside of defense, the 2021 NBA champion has made 37.4 percent of his 3s over the past seven seasons. Likely to play a similar defensive role to the one that Saddiq Bey already does with the Hawks, the acquisition of Tucker simply brings Atlanta an additional forward with the strength and foot speed to hound multiple players. Joining the frontcourt rotation, his projected 3-and-D could be an easy fit.
