Report: Atlanta Hawks Looking To Buy At Trade Deadline

According to reports, the Atlanta Hawks are looking to add to their team at the trade deadline.

What a difference a few months makes. At one point, it looked as if the Atlanta Hawks would be sellers at the trade deadline. It appeared as if Paul Millsap would be shipped away to the highest bidder and that a complete rebuild would begin. Not anymore.

The Hawks are poised to be buyers at the trade deadline, according to Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 

Vivlamore’s report suggests that a deal is not guaranteed, but that they are being very active in trade talks.

"The Hawks’ interest is in adding to the current roster. There is no guarantee that a deal will be made before the Feb. 23 deadline. However, more than one deal is possible ahead of the stretch run of the regular season and playoffs."

This shouldn’t come as a surprise. When Atlanta pulled Millsap off the market they made it clear that they are focusing on competing this season. This is a quality team, but one that could certainly use an upgrade at a few positions.

Adam McGee of Hoops Habit wrote this week that the Hawks should consider adding to the roster, if they are truly all in on this season. McGee had a suggestion for a place on the roster where they could use an upgrade.

"Still, there could be little debate that Atlanta could use some more proven wing depth.Although they’ve been able to lean on rookies such as Taurean Prince and DeAndre Bembry at different points throughout the season to date, a more experienced player would provide some welcome insurance behind the likes of Kent Bazemore and Hardaway."

Depth on the wing is something the Hawks could definitely use. The questions still remains; what players that are available would be a good fit? We can go ahead and forget about Carmelo Anthony. That’s not going to happen. A player like Wilson Chandler is still unlikely, but he is a much more reasonable option.

The same could be said for Danilo Gallinari. Despite being a playoff contender, the Denver Nuggets appear open to trading some of their veteran contributors. If the Hawks could snag Chandler or Gallinari that would be a huge improvement to their depth on the wing. Chandler would be the preferable option given his defensive capabilities. Both players could be out of Atlanta’s price range.

Lou Williams is available, but that doesn’t feel like an ideal fit. Williams is too much of a gunner to fit perfectly into Mike Budenholzer’s system. Still, you can never have too much scoring off the bench. Williams’ 38.5 percent mark from three-point range would help their sometimes streaky outside shooting.

The list of talented and versatile wings available for trade is small, as one might expect. Those types of players are in short supply. The Hawks won’t be able to acquire a player that fits that description without parting with some significant assets. That means first round picks, DeAndre’ Bembry, and/or Taurean Prince. I’m not so sure they should be willing to send away any of their young assets.

The Hawks may also look to improve the backup point guard spot. Malcolm Delaney has recovered after a mid-season slump, but Mike Budenholzer may want a more experienced backup when the playoffs roll around.

Related Story: Hawks Fall To Clippers

Is there a quality backup point guard available? A Shelvin Mack reunion would be an ideal solution. The Utah Jazz might be willing to move him as they become more comfortable with Dante Exum playing a larger role.

Other than that their options are limited. If I had to guess, I would project that the Hawks will fail to make a major deal at the deadline. If they are not moving Millsap it doesn’t seem like there’s a move that makes sense, unless it’s dumping Tiago Splitter‘s contract.

Next: Hawks Commit To The Present

We’ll have more trade deadline talk here at Soaring Down South as we move closer to the Feb. 23 deadline. Stay tuned!