Atlanta Hawks summer league roster was officially announced on Monday and a certain name was left off that has Ha..."/> Atlanta Hawks summer league roster was officially announced on Monday and a certain name was left off that has Ha..."/>
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Atlanta Hawks: What Cam Reddish’s absence from Summer League means

By Joshua Buckhalter

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 29: Cam Reddish #22 of the Atlanta Hawkscelebrates a dunk against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals at State Farm Arena on June 29, 2021 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 - JUNE 29: Cam Reddish #22 of the Atlanta Hawkscelebrates a dunk against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals at State Farm Arena on June 29, 2021 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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The Atlanta Hawks summer league roster was officially announced on Monday and a certain name was left off that has Hawks meds and fans wondering if there is something afoot. Cam Reddish was not among the 13 names — which did include draft picks Jaylen Johnson and Sharife Cooper — listed by Sarah K. Spencer of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Naturally, this led to wild speculation as to what it could mean for the soon-to-be 22-year-old, especially after he was specifically named by management as part of the roster.

On the extreme, you have fan bases proposing hypothetical trade packages, seeing this as a sign the Hawks don’t want to risk injury to a player they were rumored to have entertained offers for leading up to the draft.

The Atlanta Hawks are just as likely taking extra precaution as preparing for a Reddish trade

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We said in the run-up to last Thursday’s draft that the logic behind moving Reddish would apply better to a veteran than a young controllable asset.

This time, the question has to be asked, wouldn’t it make just as much (if not more) sense to protect Reddish for the Hawks as it is a precursor to a post-draft trade?

He did miss all but 26 regular-season games and four games in the playoffs dealing with an Achilles injury. And, despite his historic performance, both he and Nate McMillan spoke of how he wasn’t in game shape.

Summer League is usually a time for that but it isn’t uncommon for players who dealt with injury the year prior to miss it.

A trade also would have made more sense prior to McMillan taking over for Lloyd Pierce and then having the “interim” removed from his title. Now, though, it would behoove the Hawks to see what a full season of Reddish under McMillan looks like.

At the very least, wait until the trade deadline.

Don’t completely write the whispers off, though. Shams Charania of The Athletic gave word right at the start of free agency that the Hawks and John Collins weren’t close to a deal.

We fully expect a resolution to come of this but it is an about-face from what we were hearing just a few days ago when Bleacher Report put out that the two sides were expected to reach an agreement at the start of free agency. It should go without saying at this point, but it would be a shame to lose the first draft pick in this turnaround.

Especially after the postseason run and a really strong draft class.

That’s why Reddish’s name will likely be involved in trade rumors for a while. Kevin Huerter and perhaps De’Andre Hunter could also be mentioned as the Hawks begin to pay players. Collins, yes, but Trae Young is also eligible for max rookie-scale extension at midnight on Tuesday.

Next. Atlanta Hawks: 3 centers to avoid in free agency. dark

If fans thought this would be a quiet time for the Hawks, this might be a shock to the system. But it comes with the territory of being a good team.