5 trade deadline targets to help fix the Atlanta Hawks perimeter defense

Atlanta Hawks trade-deadline target No. 1: Caris LeVert was playing well before entering protocols

Our first suggestion could come at a relative discount to the Hawks were they to pursue him. Caris LeVert was one of several players mentioned by name with it was reported the Indiana Pacers would be moving forward with a rebuild. Naturally, the focus has been on stud big-man Domantas Sabonis and center Myles Turner.

With the Hawks weakness at the point of attack and on the perimeter – they rank 20th in opponents’ three-point percentage – LeVert could solve that problem as well as a couple of others.

Opponents are shooting just 31.4 percent on defended threes against him this season.

Of Atlanta’s wing stoppers, only Kevin Huerter and Cam Reddish have come close to that type of lockdown on the outside.

This deal includes Bogdan Bogdanovic as opposed to Gallinari. But it solves issues for both teams with the Hawks upgrading their shooting guard position with LeVert and getting a reliable vet bench option in Torrey Craig. A first-round pick might have to be added. But, with that pick likely to be in the mid-to-late 20s if this hypothetical deal works out, it’s worth it.

Indy gets Reddish as part of its rebuild and Bogdanovic to keep or flip in another deal.

The availability is a big deal because LeVert hasn’t cracked 50 games in any of the last three seasons and has only once appeared in more than 60 games. He made 71 appearances with 10 starts back in 2018, his second year in the league, as injuries have been an issue to this point.

That could lead the Hawks to stay away as he’s also in health and safety protocols. But the more prudent route would be to try to get him for a song while other teams focus their efforts elsewhere.

Their loss could be the Hawks gain

LeVert is averaging 17.8 points on 43.1 percent shooting with 4.0 assists, 3.3 assists, and 1.0 steals this season. He was averaging 25.5 points on 44.1 percent shooting overall and 31.7 percent from downtown in the four games before going into protocols.

He hasn’t shot the three-ball very well at just 31 percent is just a 33.3 percent shooter for his career. But he is just two seasons removed from shooting 36.4 percent from distance.