Soaring Down South
Fansided

3 Stars the Atlanta Hawks Could Land By Trading Their Top Pick

By Dallin Duffy

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 06: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards reacts after a play against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 06, 2020 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 06: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards reacts after a play against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 06, 2020 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Hawks
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – JANUARY 06: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic in control of the ball against the Brooklyn Nets in the second quarter at Amway Center on January 06, 2020 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry Aaron/Getty Images) /

Aaron Gordon

Aaron Gordon has been an under-the-radar trade target since he signed his extension back in 2018, and I’ve been pitching Gordon to the Hawks for a number of years now. Now may be the best chance for Atlanta to grab him.

Some only know him as a dunker, thanks to his dominance in the dunk contest, but he’s much more than that on the court. Gordon is a solid two-way performer who could be a nice fit in the Hawks’ fast-paced style of play.

Some will notice his abilities and position being fairly similar to John Collins, and they’d be right. Gordon is a high-flying forward who can respectably stretch the floor. While he is more of a power forward like Collins is, Gordon can and has played at the three.

The 24-year-old Gordon still brings great upside and is on a reasonable deal. He’s set to make $18 million in 2020-2021 and $16 million in 2021-2022. He likely doesn’t have enough trade value to warrant the Hawks trading the pick for him straight up, but the teams could easily figure something out. Two potential trades are below:

The Magic’s current pick is the 15th, so if the Hawks do get the fourth pick, they’ll be shedding Aaron Gordon to move up 11 spots. The Hawks move just outside the lottery, giving up two second-rounders as sweeteners.

This time Orlando keeps their pick while also adding the Hawks’. To compensate, they give up their second-rounder this year and their first next year. The Hawks can obviously keep both, or use them as bait in a future trade.

Aaron Gordon likely will never be an All-Star in the NBA but is more than capable to be a solid contributor in Atlanta for years to come.