The Rich Get Richer: Atlanta Hawks Trades to Best Teams in the NBA
By Chris Guest
A great deal for both sides. Who says no, Bucks fans?!?!?!?! Just kidding, here’s the real one:
The Milwaukee Bucks are clearly in win-now mode now that Hawks expat Mike Budenholzer and transcendent talent Giannis Antetokounmpo have teamed up in Wisconsin.
The team has already made a deal to shed the salary of John Henson due to the rise of Brook Lopez as the game’s preeminent 7-foot-plus long-range bomber. However, that means that recent draft pick and tantalizing talent Thon Maker has been marginalized due to his inability to hit an open corner three. Enter the Atlanta Hawks.
The Hawks should be in the market for players such as Maker, who seem to not fit the timeline or play style of their current team.
For the Bucks, Bud would be reunited with his former rangy wing Bazemore, who broke out during Bud’s tenure with the Hawks into one of the team’s best two-way players. While it’s unclear whether Prince and Bud got along (sideline interactions seemed to indicate they did not), the Hawks would likely be willing to include other players, such as Justin Anderson or even DeAndre’ Bembry, to get this deal done.
While George Hill is definitely a solid player for the Bucks, Baze is a clear upgrade and the ball will be in the Greek Freak’s hands more often than not come playoff time. Beyond that, Eric Bledsoe and Malcolm Brogdon can capably run a pick-and-roll too.
Final note: This deal could not be completed in its current form until February 6 (one day ahead of the trade deadline) due to Hill being traded once already this season.