Soaring Down South
Fansided

Neither CJ McCollum nor Marcus Smart is the answer for the Atlanta Hawks

By Joshua Buckhalter

Dec 4, 2021; Portland, Oregon, USA; Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) drives to the basket against Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum (3) at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2021; Portland, Oregon, USA; Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) drives to the basket against Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum (3) at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /
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Just when it seemed as though the Atlanta Hawks (25-28)had figured things out, they go and drop their second game in a row with a 103-94 defeat courtesy of the Dallas Mavericks. What made this one stand out is they got Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson in foul trouble but allowed a triple-double to the former and 22 points to the latter.

Trade winds have been swirling ahead of the deadline albeit in a different direction.

After much speculation on the future of forward John Collins, the longest-tenured Hawks player – Alex Kennedy of BasketballNews.com shared that recent momentum has made it less likely that Collins is dealt at the deadline on Feb 10.

That doesn’t mean they won’t revisit trading him in the offseason and they haven’t stopped searching for alternative means of raising their ceiling.

The Atlanta Hawks apparently want to upgrade their backcourt next to Trae Young

We recently went over one of those alternatives in Josh Hart from the New Orleans Pelicans in a deal that was reportedly discussed and would include Kevin Huerter. Huerter has a strong case for having the higher ceiling but Hart has thus far proven to be a more consistent player, particularly on defense.

There are also financial ramifications for making the move that would entice Atlanta.

The rumors haven’t stopped there in the wake of the news that the Philadelphia 76ers were holding out on dealing Ben Simmons in hopes of using him to land James Harden – a potential free agent this summer – from the Brooklyn Nets who have flatly declined.

Atlanta’s interest in upgrading their backcourt means two more intriguing options are on their radar in CJ McCollum of the Portland Trail Blazers and Marcus Smart of the Boston Celtics.