The Atlanta Hawks made their one and only move of the season about a month prior to the trade deadline. They traded Cam Reddish to the New York Knicks for Kevin Knox and some draft compensation. However, the other part of this move is what gives the Hawks their ace in the hole.
They managed to include Solomon Hill in the deal, meaning that the franchise has a roster spot available without having to pay out the veteran’s minimum deal that Hill was on. This means that when the smoke clears from the trade deadline deals and teams waive players, the Hawks have the opportunity to pounce.
Think about it, players who would have cost the Hawks millions of dollars and potentially assets prior to the deadline will cost a fraction of that after teams buy them out. This is also where the Hawks, who are 9-3 in their last 12 are also at an advantage over other teams, they have done this with their current squad meaning that an addition will not cost them any assets.
Why the Atlanta Hawks are an attraactive team for a bought out player.
There are going to be plenty of quality veteran players who are going to be avaiable in the buy out market.In years past the Hawks may have been attractive to a veteran player who was trying to resurrect his career but they have become more than that.
After the Hawks made it to the Eastern Conference Finals last season they announced themselves as a genuine contender. This season, despite their inability to find chemistry from the start of the season, they are looking likely to come home with a wet sail.
This means that players who have the ability to help a team win a championship are now looking at the Hawks to help them acheive that goal. Unlike other teams in the East, the Hawks have all their stars on the same page and seemingly content to stay with the team. This has them primed for run at the playoffs which is going to be very similar to last season.