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Atlanta Hawks: The Best (Realistic) Off-Season Trade Targets

By Dallin Duffy

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 28: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers react in the second half at State Farm Arena on October 28, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 28: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers react in the second half at State Farm Arena on October 28, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Picking three realistic trade targets for the Atlanta Hawks.

The Atlanta Hawks made it clear when they traded for Clint Capela that they were ready to start winning. With young stars Trae Young and John Collins on the team and a supporting cast made up of Capela, Cam Reddish, De’Andre Hunter, and Kevin Huerter, they’re on the right track.

They just need that one missing piece to become a real threat in the Eastern Conference, and unfortunately, both the draft and free agency classes are looking weaker than usual.

If the Hawks want to add that missing piece this fall, they’ll need to do it via trade. They have the assets to swing a big name on the trade block if they want, and that might not be such a bad idea.

Here I’ve found three stars that the Hawks might be able to land via a trade.

Player Three: Buddy Hield

Buddy Hield is just one year into a four-year extension but has been a darkhorse to be traded ever since he joined the Kings. Hield has always had a touchy relationship with the Kings’ front office, and with De’Aaron Fox emerging as the face of the franchise, it might be time for Hield to find a new team.

The Hawks can swoop in and make him Trae’s backcourt companion, and the two Oklahoma products already share a solid off-court relationship. That chemistry should work together on the court as well, as Buddy can work as a secondary playmaker to help take the pressure off Young.

Hield is a true three-point sniper, taking nearly ten per game in Sacramento last season, making 39 percent of them. While Kev Huerter and Cam Reddish can be good solid catch-and-shoot guys, Hield can create shots for himself, something no one else on the Hawks can do consistently besides Young.

The Kings get another outside shooting specialist and pick up a first next summer, and they can now sign another player instead of paying Hield. The Hawks protect the pick to ensure they wouldn’t be giving up something too valuable if they drastically underperform next season.

Hield and Young could create the NBA’s next great backcourt.