5 Players the Hawks might replace De’Andre Hunter with by the trade deadline

Blazers’ Jerami Grant could make for sense for Hawks

The Portland Trail Blazers re-signed Grant this offseason, inking him to a five-year, $160 million contract with the idea they would continue to add around Damian Lillard. Lillard’s trade demand has altered those plans.

Portland has said they believe they can keep Lillard and No. 3 overall pick Scoot Henderson but the former has held firm in his demand.

If he goes, Grant almost certainly will follow him out the door, perhaps to Atlanta.

Grant averaged 20.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists while shooting 40.1% from beyond the arc last season. But him alone for Hunter would not be a sound move for the Hawks, not considering the age difference and greater financial commitment. But, if the Hawks could add a two-time All-Defensive Team selection in Matisse Thybulle, it becomes a lot more palatable.

Thybulle is in the first year of a three-year, $33 million pact after the Trail Blazers matched the offer sheet he signed with the Dallas Mavericks.

He averaged just 4.1 points and 2.0 rebounds last season, split between Portland and the Philadelphia 76ers. But Thybulle saw his three-ball return after being traded, sinking 38.8% of his 3.9 deep looks per game with the Blazers.

Portland could bank on Hunter’s continued development while the Hawks get better right now at power forward and in perimeter defense, especially if Thybulle’s three-point shooting stays.