Neither CJ McCollum nor Marcus Smart is the answer for the Atlanta Hawks
Pros and cons to trading for CJ McCollum or Marcus Smart
Neither McCollum nor Smart put the Hawks over the top, let’s get that out of the way. There is some logic in adding to the Hawks strength and getting another premier scorer into the fold. But there has to be some sort of diversity in that approach, as McCollum’s Blazers have shown us in his tenure.
Another perimeter-based guard with sketchy defense would turn Atlanta into Portland South.
On the other hand, Smart offers much of what the Hawks need. But their offensive breakdowns when Young is off of the court or having a bad game will sink them even if their leaky defense does not.
They went 1-for-9 outside the paint in the fourth quarter and lacked anyone other than Young (and Collins in the pick-and-roll) that could break down the zone Dallas threw at them.
Bogdanovic and Huerter combined to go just 1-for-8 in the second half.
If McCollum and Smart both came over in separate deals, that might be something. But individually, each move leaves the Hawks short of what they need to maintain a consistent threat level in the East.
They are clinging to the final spot in the play-in but are also still just five games out of the sixth seed.
Next. The Hawks need more out of Clint Capela. dark
Any deal that they do threatens to disrupt their chemistry which has already been difficult to find at times this season. They should, and presumably would, only do so on a deal they felt did indeed put them over the top. Perhaps that is why Collins is off of the table now and why Clint Capela – who cannot be traded yet – was among the ‘untouchables’.