Is it possible for the Atlanta Hawks to get the best of both worlds in a potential trade? Could they simultaneously land a usable piece for right now as well as a way to extend their window to contend? Perhaps divesting from one of their current pieces for a player of lesser value but better fit and draft pick?
That is the scenario presented by Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley to get the Hawks back from being a disappointment to one of the league’s most exciting teams.
It is a move that would help shake up the entire draft lottery.
More importantly, it could solve two of the Hawks problems with one move. After a year of non-moves left ownership lamenting their inactivity, this could be a deal that the Hawks need to explore.
Atlanta Hawks tap back into the Duke pipeline for 3&D help in trade proposal
Buckley opens up with the rumors that the Hawks are open to wholesale changes following their 4-1 series loss to the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs. Their performance was disappointing enough. But it was especially so given the year they had last season and the expectations it set coming into this campaign.
He figures Collins, who signed a five-year, $125 million deal after a brief foray into free agency just last offseason, will finally be dealt away. Buckley proposes sending Collins West along with a couple of draft picks to the Sacramento Kings.
The Hawks would get veteran forward Harrison Barnes and the fourth overall pick in exchange. They would then use that pick on Duke wing, AJ Griffin.
This is not just a case of the Hawks returning to their comfort zone, though, Griffin would be the third duke player drafted by general manager Travis Schlenk. Griffin could check multiple boxes on their needs list by himself.
"From opening night, the 6’6″, 222-pounder could handle a three-and-D role. He splashed an impressive 44.7 percent of his triples at Duke and flashed tremendous defensive upside thanks to his strength, toughness, and sweeping 7’0″ wingspan."
Griffin averaged 10.4 points and 3.9 rebounds with 1.0 assists per game in his lone season in Cameron while shooting 44.7% from the deep. In conference play, he averaged 12.6 points, 4.5 boards, and 1.2 assists while connecting on 48.9% of his triples.
"Over time…the Hawks’ hope would be that Griffin’s flashes of individual creation make him a high-level second option. The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor likened Griffin to Jaylen Brown and a three-point-shooting Jimmy Butler."
The Hawks had been linked to Brown in the past. But, with the Boston Celtics set to take on the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, that dream appears to be gone.
Barnes made two Finals appearances and won a ring with the Warriors in 2015 before signing a four-year, $95 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks in 2016 free agency. He was traded by the Mavs to the Kings in 2019.
The 10-year veteran averaged 16.4 points and 5.2 rebounds with 2.4 assists. He shot 39.4% from beyond the arc last season and has shot better than 39% from outside in three of the last four seasons.
Really enjoyed talking with Duke freshman wing AJ Griffin in Durham. Here's a snippet from our Film Session. Impressive perspective for an 18-year-old: “Rent is due every day. You only get one life and I’m just trying to make the best out of it." pic.twitter.com/q9yBZLaRMn
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) March 5, 2022
Compare that to Collins’ 16.2 points, 7.8 boards, and 1.2 assists.
He’s also dealt with injuries, having failed to appear in 65 games in each of the last four seasons after playing in 74 contests as a rookie.
Barnes has been a veritable iron man, appearing in no fewer than 72 games in five of the last six seasons with at least 77 games played in four of those years. He is heading into the final year of a four-year, $85 million deal worth about $18 million this season, per Spotrac.
That means he could get a trial run with the Hawks to start the season and, if things do not work out for whatever reason, be flipped at next year’s trade deadline.
The real get here is Griffin. If he is as Buckley and O’Connor describe, the Hawks could have to strongly consider making this move were it available.