We are just a little over 48 hours from the trade deadline on Thursday at 3 PM EST, and the Hawks are rumored to be active in the market.
Already, the Hawks have turned Trae Young and Vit Krejci into CJ
McCollum, Corey Kispert, Duop Reath, and two second rounders. But clearly, the decision-makers see an opportunity to try to set the franchise up for more success either in the short term or the long term (or ideally both).
The latest rumor is a somewhat shocking one — James Harden has begun working with the Los Angeles Clippers to find a new home. Even more unexpected is that there is some link with the Atlanta Hawks of all teams. Intel from Marc Stein and Jake L. Fischer of the Stein Line substack:
Sources say that Harden, through various stretches of this season, has also eyed Minnesota and Atlanta as teams that appeal to him as potential landing spots, but neither the Timberwolves nor the Hawks are expected to pursue such a deal. The Wolves have been focused intently on their pursuit of Antetokounmpo as the deadline draws near. The Hawks, meanwhile, only ever seemed to be a plausible trade partner when they had Trae Young on the roster. Young, of course, was dealt to Washington on Jan. 9 and the Clippers, for that matter, did not show interest in a Harden-for-Young exchange. Sources say Atlanta, for its part, has largely abandoned searching for aggressive moves in the wake of shipping Young to the Wizards … such as the Hawks’ well-chronicled pursuit earlier this season of Dallas’ Anthony Davis.
It’s possible that Harden no longer sees Atlanta as a possible destination like he reportedly did “through various stretches this season,” but with the Hawks not expected to pursue a trade here (and for reasons I outlined this morning), this sounds like much ado over nothing.
As for Anthony Davis, that link remains there — although his most recent hand injury complicates things. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype brought us info in this regard last week, as well as the Indiana Pacers’ possible pursuit of Onyeka Okongwu:
While trade talk surrounding Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis and the Atlanta Hawks has subsided following his hand injury, there’s other trade news surrounding Atlanta to discuss.
Despite interest from the Indiana Pacers and other teams who’ve checked in on Onyeka Okongwu, the Hawks have been resistant to moving their 25-year-old center, league sources told HoopsHype. Meanwhile, Atlanta has been open to adding frontcourt depth if the right fit presents itself.
Okongwu has shown improved confidence in his 3-point shot and is one of only four centers who’ve made over two 3-pointers per game, along with Nikola Jokic (2.1), Myles Turner (2.2), and Naz Reid (2.4). As a starter, Okongwu has shown a growing all-around game, averaging 16.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.1 blocks.
Conversely, Kristaps Porzingis ($30.73 million) and Luke Kennard ($11 million) are considered potential trade candidates due to their expiring contracts leading up to the trade deadline, as discussed previously on HoopsHype.
The Hawks also have nearly $7 million in room under the luxury tax and have signalled a willingness to help other teams duck the tax for second-round pick draft compensation, HoopsHype has learned.
It’s worth noting that Atlanta still has a $13.1 million traded player exception from the Bogdan Bogdanovic trade, which can be utilized. In addition, Atlanta center N’Faly Dante suffered a season-ending torn ACL and has a non-guaranteed contract for next season, which makes him a potential cut candidate if Atlanta needs another roster spot at the trade deadline to complete a trade.
Should the Hawks chase James Harden? Could Okongwu be on the block? Please let us know in the comments.
