Atlanta Hawks: 4 Players Most Likely to Be Traded This Season
By Chris Guest
Justin Anderson
Another recent acquisition who could easily be dealt away in multiple trades, Justin Anderson’s is eminently movable. Making just $2.5 million this year and with a qualifying offer $3.6 million next year on his rookie deal, Anderson would make for solid salary filler in any larger deal that the Atlanta Hawks make.
Anderson also seems to be a terrific teammate who leads uproarious “bench mob” units on whatever team he’s a part of. He was instrumental in making Philadelphia’s bench unit last season one of the most emotive and active in the NBA, and while he sat much of the season to rehab from surgery with the Hawks, he was extremely demonstrative and engaged on the bench for Atlanta.
A big, burly body that is switchable and athletic, Anderson would also suit a variety of needs for contending teams – providing depth in the regular and early playoff rounds so that the team’s stars are fresh and rejuvenated as the playoff season grinds on and on.
While these young Hawks would almost certainly miss Anderson’s joie de vivre and intensity on the court and on the bench, if he must be included a deal to land a draft pick, it’s doubtful that Schlenk will bat an eye on making such a move.