The Atlanta Hawks should look to trade for this $51M wing
The Atlanta Hawks are a team in need of some new blood. They went all-in on talent retention the last offseason, which saw them slip down the standings. They were not helped by injuries and one of the worst Covid-19 crises across the league but in an NBA season, you have to roll with these punches.
Still, if GM Travis Schlenk were to try and take the same roster into next season we would see a change at the top for the Hawks. Despite not even polling a single vote in the Executive of the Year award this season, Schlenk has done a masterful job with this franchise since he took over.
Still, the playoff series against the Miami Heat signaled the need for a second star and the Hawks need to somehow answer that bell. While Gary Trent jr. may not be that second star, he presents the Hawks with an interesting option for another playmaking scorer, taking more pressure off superstar point guard Trae Young.
The Atlanta Hawks should strong interest in Gary Trent jr.
While Trent is only 6’5″ he has the ability to play anywhere from the point, in a pinch, to either wing position. This versatility is a hallmark of Trent’s career. While he is not a strong defender statistically, he puts in a tremendous amount of effort on that end, making life tough for his opponent.
The question for the Hawks is what they are willing to give up in order to secure Trent’s services for the next two seasons. His deal is worth just under $36 million over the next two seasons including a player option in the 2023-24 season.
He could be a like-for-like swap with Bogdan Bogdanovic who recently underwent knee surgery in an effort to play a full season. He has struggled to finish the last two seasons, meaning that the Hawks may need to trade the sharpshooter.
However, another like-for-like swap may be possible. Kevin Huerter’s extension kicks in next season meaning that his contract is a close match, the Hawks may need to include Jalen Johnson or a third team to make this happen.
Where Trent has the edge over these two players is that he is a stronger shot creator for himself. Both Bogdanovic and Huerter went missing against the Heat which created more pressure for Young who was being blitzed by all five defenders.
Next. Who do the Hawks take in the second round. dark
As stated earlier, Trent may not be the second star that they need, but he starts to move the needle toward a successful playoff series. Land him and getting a second star may become easier.