Atlanta Hawks Trade Deadline Outlook

Ersan Ilyasova

Ersan Ilyasova has put up good numbers for Atlanta in what is a contract year. He also has a very good value contract for $6M. Ilyasova can deny any trades he doesn’t approve of (he’s been on a lot of bad teams in his career).

1. Ersan to Boston for Shane Larkin and Aron Baynes – Larkin and Baynes have expiring contracts. This would be a scenario where Ersan goes to a competitor and the Hawks clear up cap room. I’d be surprised if Ilyasova turned down this trade, but I think Boston would want to ask for more in return.
2. Ersan to Minnesota for Namanja Bjelica – In looking at possible scenarios where Ersan goes to a contender, I don’t see how this would help the Hawks at all. Another expiring contract for Bjelica, who has been decently productive for the Wolves this season. However, this seems like a downgrade.
3. Ersan to San Antonio for Kyle Anderson, Davis Bertans and Bryn Forbes – Ersan would fit in well at San Antonio as the Spurs run a similar style to what Mike Budenholzer runs in Atlanta. However, giving up 3 assets with expiring contracts may be a dream scenario and I don’t think Coach Popovich wants Ersan that badly.

Trade Outlook: 25% Ersan is traded

Coach Budenholzer pulled off a great trade in 2017 dumping Tiago Splitter to Philadelphia in exchange for Ersan, and his stock has certainly risen since then. Unless there’s a deal of value with a serviceable player with a small contract, the trade scenarios don’t look as appealing at this deadline.