The hope was that the Atlanta Hawks (21-25) four-game winning streak and improving health would lead to radio silence with regards to all of the trade talk. Especially with Cam Reddish’s trade to the New York Knicks seemingly sparking this run, or at least, simplifying things during it. As we’ve noted, Kevin Knox has acquitted himself alright to his spot role.
Shams Charania of The Athletic reported on Monday morning (subscription required), however, that the Philadelphia 76ers were looking to hold onto James Harden with hopes of pursuing a trade with the Brooklyn Nets for James Harden in the offseason.
There is also word they could pursue a different superstar, but the link to Harden keeps being touted.
How will the Atlanta Hawks pivot now that trading for Ben Simmons is unlikely before the deadline?
Also mentioned is that the Hawks, along with the Sacramento Kings who Simmons has said he wanted to play for, have been two of the most engaged teams in talks between the franchises over the embattled point guard. We discussed how talks with Philly broke down upon Atlanta’s resistance to taking Tobias Harris back in the deal.
Charania says, barring a blockbuster offer, the 76ers (who are sixth in the East) believe they can wait for their current offers until the summer but don’t want to miss out on Harden.
This echoes the sentiments shared by 6ers president Daryl Morey who described a Simmons deal as being “less likely than likely” late last week in an interview with Kyle Neubuck of the Philly Voice.
A third team could also be brought in to take on Harris.
If they do hold onto him, the Hawks recent interest does pose a fascinating question: will they pursue another deal for a superstar ahead of the NBA’s trade deadline on Feb 10? Moreover, is there even anyone worth pursuing at this point with Simmons essentially off the table?
They’ve been linked to Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics, an Atlanta native.
But Boston is 6-4 in its last 10 games and sits eighth in the Eastern Conference. They were already hesitant to break up their dynamic duo of Brown and Jayson Tatum and league sources remain “adamant” that is the case. Of course, that too could change in the offseason but then Simmons would theoretically be back on the table as well.
Bradley Beal, another target often linked to the Hawks, recently reiterated his desires to “create my own legacy” with the Washington Wizards who are 4-6 in their last 10 games and have lost three straight.
We’ve identified New Orleans Pelicans wing, Brandon Ingram, as a potential target.
He’s slumped the past two games but just came off of a five-game stretch where he averaged 26.6 points on 50.5 percent shooting (47.8% 3P) with 6.6 boards and 5.8 rebounds.
De’Andre Hunter’s recent play – he’s averaging 17.2 points on 48.6 percent shooting over the last five contests – along with an improved bench (thanks to improved health) could lead to the Hawks standing pat. They do have a four-game winning streak under their belt and a five-game homestand starting Wednesday.
Hopefully, they can add Bogdan Bogdanovic back to the rotation soon too.