Marc Stein of ESPN reported this past week the Houston Rockets have made veterans Lou Williams, Patrick Beverly and Ryan Anderson all available for trade.
Has the whole league gone mad? What we’re witnessing right now promises to be an unprecedented off-season unlike no other in recent memory. There is so much action and commotion with not just stars, but superstar talent, who all could be traded any minute.
Free Agency Scuttle: Houston is making Ryan Anderson/Lou Williams/Patrick Beverley available via trade to create summer spending flexibility
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 21, 2017
From Paul George to, LaMarcus Aldridge, DeAndre Jordan, Kirstaps Porzingis and Kevin Love, if you believe the hype, they can be acquired to the highest bidder. What’s remarkable is these are names that the Atlanta Hawks have been wanting for years now.
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In Paul George’s case, Atlanta reportedly had already offered a king’s ransom to bring him over from Indiana just prior to the trade deadline. It was speculated that the Hawks offered north of four future first round draft picks in an attempt to get George.
With Indiana currently in a position where they consider trading PG-13 to be the best option, following his informing of the franchise that he plans to leave as a free agent after the season, it’s no wonder the Hawks have not tried again.
The opportunity to greatly improve the Hawks immediately would appear to be at an optimal level, yet the only rumblings from the Hawks have been the Dwight Howard trade, and possible sign and trade scenarios involving Paul Millsap. The grand perception has already shifted to the team beginning a tumultuous rebuilding process.
Kent Bazemore has been mentioned as another player who could be on the move. After signing a 4 year, $70 million contract last summer, it could be quite the challenge to trade him.
Bazemore had a disastrous season for Mike Budenholzer during the 2016- 17 season. He converted just 40.0 percent of his field goals, 34.5 percent of his threes and averaged nearly as many turnovers (1.7) as assists (2.3). He ultimately was reduced to a reserve role for the playoffs.
In the event the Hawks don’t miraculously obtain an All-NBA player via trade or free agency, the Houston Rockets power forward Ryan Anderson would be a welcome addition to the group.
The 6’10”, nine-year veteran is one of the best stretch big men in the league. Last season he made 203 of 504 three pointers for a success rate of 40.1 percent. His skill set would provide the Hawks a perfect compliment to the style and pace of play they want to run.
The Houston Rockets led the NBA in 3 point field goals made and attempted over the course of the regular season. The bearded toasters shot an inconceivable amount of threes, 40.1 attempts per game to be exact. They made 14.2 of them, 1 more than the Cleveland Cavaliers, who were second in the rankings.
Ryan Anderson was a big part of that. He averaged 13.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. His numbers don’t jump off the page at you, but he has improved certain aspects of his game. Once known for only his outside shooting, he has added a decent presence on the block with his back to the basket. Anderson can be seen cutting past defenders from the perimeter for uncontested layups more frequently than he had earlier in his career.
The Atlanta Hawks were among the dregs of the league in terms of 3 point shooting as a team. Their percentage was 27th in the NBA. Operating under the assumption Millsap has left the building, Anderson would be a more than capable replacement.
For the two teams to complete a trade, the Hawks would have to take one of either Lou Williams or Patrick Beverly, because Anderson and Bazemore make approximately the same salary. Anderson is the 14th highest paid forward league-wide, which is probably just right. He is however, the second highest paid player on his own team.
Anderson is slated to earn $19.5 million next year. Kent Bazemore in contrast makes $16.9 million next season. If the Rockets motivation is to clear necessary cap space to chase maximum level free agents, Atlanta would have to absorb the remainder of Williams or Beverly’s deals.
Each of their contracts expire following 2017-18 season, but Beverly does have a team option for 2018-19. Williams makes $7 million and Beverly counts for $5.6 million. Considering they would be dumping salary for the prospect of signing a Chris Paul or Blake Griffin, taking on Bazemore alone could work out for the Rockets.
First round draft pick John Collins won’t be expected to start right away. Anderson would make the Atlanta Hawks long distance attack more accurate, and would be good for about 30 minutes per game. And who wouldn’t love a Lou Williams reunion with the Hawks?