Atlanta Hawks Trade Probabilities at the Deadline
By Chris Guest
Luke Babbitt: 90% Chance – This is where the trades begin to be almost certainties. Luke Babbitt is having a terrific year as a long-range sniper from three, and almost any team in the playoff hunt could employ his services. Though he has played precious little over the past two months, Babbitt is still shooting 43.9 percent from downtown on 3 attempts a game.
Ersan Ilyasova: 95% Chance – It must be noted that Ilyasova has the right to veto any trade the Hawks could make for him, so there’s that. Still though, he could provide value for almost any playoff-bound team, as he can rebound, shoot threes, defend a bit and is crafty around the rim. He is also a notorious flopper and charge-drawer, niche skills that can sometimes turn the tide of a quarter – or even a game in the right circumstances.
It would be surprising if Ersan remained on the team after the trade deadline, as he has an expiring, cost-effective deal that would be enticing for almost any possible playoff team.
Marco Belinelli: 98% Chance – Belinelli is a seasoned vet who knows his way around the three-point line. He is 4th on the Hawks in points per game with 11.4, and he is hitting 37.2 percent of his 4.8 three-point attempts per game – solid averages, off the bench no less, that should have playoff contenders salivating. Sure, his defense is frankly deplorable, but that’s not really what bench scorers are supposed to provide.
There is almost no chance that Belinelli remains a Hawk after the trade deadline, as he can slot into any team’s rotation and be the exact same thing he is for the Hawks: a shooter’s shooter with no conscious when it comes to getting up his own shot. Sometimes that’s all you need.
Next: Atlanta Hawks Youth Movement Part 1: The Rookies
Stay tuned as more news (and even more unfounded rumors) about the Atlanta Hawks’ plans at the trade deadline becomes available.