The Atlanta Hawks are expected to be a very active team at the upcoming trade deadline (February 9).
Predictions for the Atlanta Hawks’ trade deadline
They’ve managed to keep their core together over the past few years despite widespread speculation about virtually every player on the roster. Not going to happen this time, at least not in my estimation.
The Hawks appear to be at a crossroads and doing nothing may not be a good option. They won’t completely detonate everything just yet, but they do need to take some action.
- Atlanta is home for Bogdan Bogdanovic
As the trade deadline approaches, there has been some discussion about the availability of Bogdan Bogdanovic. However, I do not think that trading Bogdanovic would benefit this team. The Hawks have trouble scoring in general, and he’s their best shooter.
Bogdanovic is averaging 15.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists on 55.3% true shooting and 37.3% three-point shooting. Despite the addition of Murray in the offseason, he has kept up his impressive performance.
He is also a critical presence in the locker room. If the Hawks aren’t just trying to cut costs Bogdanovic should remain on the team after the trade deadline.
- The Hawks improve their defense
NBA insider Marc Stein reports that the Atlanta Hawks are among the teams interested in acquiring Matisse Thybulle from the Philadelphia 76ers before the league’s trade deadline.
The Hawks’ purported interest in Matisse Thybulle is the latest rumor to circulate about the team. Atlanta has no trouble scoring, but they have had trouble preventing other teams from scoring, especially from long range.
Thybulle’s primary contribution on the court is his defensive play. He’s one of the league’s best perimeter defenders but contributes very little else; the Hawks, however, need just that.
- “John Collins gets a new place to live”
There have been rumors about a possible trade involving John Collins for the past three years. All but one team in the league has shown interest.
Unfortunately, his value has crashed because he is posting career lows in nearly every statistical category this year. In light of this, I believe the Hawks would be better off keeping him in the hopes that he can snap out of his funk.
The Utah Jazz has also discussed deals involving John Collins, but multiple league sources tell Jones that the Hawks won’t part with him unless they’re confident that the return would significantly boost their playoff chances.
Collins is still an excellent player, and the Hawks’ current composition could collapse if they were to trade him away for peanuts.
