Soaring Down South
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Atlanta Hawks: All-Star Break Assessment

By Andrew Snyder

Jan 1, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) talks to forward Paul Millsap (4) against the San Antonio Spurs in overtime at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 114-112 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) talks to forward Paul Millsap (4) against the San Antonio Spurs in overtime at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 114-112 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 13, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and guard Kyle Korver (26) during the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. The Cavaliers defeated the Kings 120-108. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and guard Kyle Korver (26) during the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. The Cavaliers defeated the Kings 120-108. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /

The Trade

Towards the end of December’s slump, rumors suggested that the Hawks would begin to rebuild at the trade deadline. Several reports stated that Paul Millsap, Thabo Sefolosha, Kyle Korver, and even Tim Hardaway Jr. were being shopped.

Then, on Jan. 7, the first domino fell. The Hawks sent Korver to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Mike Dunleavy Jr., Mo Williams, and a first round pick. Many expected the move to be the first of many. Trading Korver to a conference rival looked like a signal that the Hawks were waving the white flag on the 2016-17 season.

Then something funny happened. They just kept winning. Their January hot-streak pulled them from out of the playoff race to the upper half of the Eastern Conference. That led to the front office pulling Millsap off of the market. Now, the Hawks are poised to be buyers at the trade deadline. The additional first round pick gives them another asset for any trade discussions they may have.

The loss of Korver was difficult for the fan-base. The sharpshooter was, and still is, beloved in Atlanta. Still, given that he is 35 and on an expiring contract, the move made sense for Atlanta. During his time with the Hawks, Korver played in 332 games averaging 10.9 points per game on 46.2 percent shooting and 45.2 percent from three-point range.

After an adjustment period with Cleveland, Korver is shooting 51.5 percent from three-point range on 5.3 attempts per game. If there’s one thing Korver can still do it’s shoot. Unless the Hawks somehow make a miracle run to the Finals, I hope that Korver gets his championship ring in Cleveland this summer. He deserves it.

How has Mike Dunleavy Jr. been as a replacement? He’s been perfectly adequate. Dunleavy is a better defensive player than the current version of Korver and has shown a little bit more of an off the dribble attack. In 18 games with the Hawks, Dunleavy is averaging 5.8 points per game on 45.1 percent shooting and 43.1 percent from three-point range. That’s all Atlanta needs him to do.

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