The Atlanta Hawks should look at this big man trade

Atlanta Hawks. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta Hawks. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Hawks had a season they would probably rather forget, going all the way back to the offseason where Clint Capela had a procedure to clean up some niggling injuries. This meant that the Hawks could not develop their chemistry this season, this is why they struggled on the defensive end so much.

Capela changed the Hawks’ defense last season and this was a big reason for the turnaround from the previous two seasons. However, it was not just on the defensive end where Capela made his mark both last season and this season. He was one of Trae Young’s favorite targets in the restricted area as a lob threat.

This usually starts in the pick and roll, where Capela starts by setting the screen, barely touching the opposition defender before trying to create the mismatch by rolling to the hoop. Just imagine if Young had a player who made space by his sheer presence who could then roll to the hoop if required.

The Atlanta Hawks should try this trade for Steven  Adams.

While Capela has been really good for the Hawks, what if they were able to land a big man like Steven Adams who sets the hardest screens in the NBA. He has played with some incredible point guards over his career including the likes of Russell Westbrook and Ja Morant so he knows how to work for them.

Adams is so meticulous in his work with his teammates that he works out the correct angle to set his screen to get his man the best opening to move. This would help Young get more open looks thanks to his insane speed and this can only mean good things for the Hawks’ offense.

While Adams is not going to help the Hawks’ floor spacing, he is a low-volume, high percentage shooter who is also an excellent offensive rebounder. He led the entire NBA in total offensive rebounds last season with 349.

This move takes away from the Hawks a little defensively but, despite the low numbers, Adams will help free up Young on offense. This could only spell trouble for NBA defenses which is only going to help this team.