It is no secret that the Atlanta Hawks need a backup point guard. Kobe Bufkin is out for the season with a shoulder injury, leaving Vit Krejci as the only real option behind Trae Young.
Young recently missed Atlanta’s December 21 matchup with Memphis, and his teammates got demolished at home by a Grizzlies squad playing without Ja Morant. While the Hawks have come a long way from their slow start to the season, they still need to search for a backup point guard on the trade market to fill an obvious hole in their roster.
Hawks general manager Landry Fields should be calling teams across the league in search of a backup for Trae Young. As expected, many lottery teams have been linked to trade rumors surrounding their veteran players. The Utah Jazz have especially been rumored as heavy sellers at the deadline.
More specifically, the Jazz have reportedly involved Jordan Clarkson in trade talks. The 32-year-old combo guard has played for Utah since 2020, but he doesn’t fit with the team like he used to given the timeline of the Jazz and the presence of young guards Keyonte George and Collin Sexton.
Jordan Clarkson would fit in well with Atlanta’s strong bench unit
Clarkson would be a perfect candidate to fill Atlanta’s backup-PG void. The 2021 Sixth Man of the Year has averaged 15.8 points and 4.1 assists across 18 contests. In his most recent outing, he dropped 27 points and five assists.
The Hawks have leaned on elite bench production this season. Their second unit boasts the third-most points among benches across the league. Atlanta’s bench also averages the fifth-most 3-point attempts, shooting an aggressive 15.4 threes per game.
Given Clarkson’s run-and-gun playstyle and tendency to create something out of nothing, the veteran could be a match made in heaven for Atlanta’s second unit. The Hawks could use a dangerous shot creator to handle the ball when Young is on the bench, and Clarkson could be just that.
Over the years, Clarkson has earned his “Flamethrower” nickname by exhibiting some brilliant shotmaking. Whether he is red-hot or ice-cold, Clarkson is always fearless. He is a certified bucket who has never seen a shot he didn’t like.
Clarkson’s undeniable swagger could help this young Hawks team reach its ceiling. All the necessary talent is there for Atlanta, but the team could use an extra edge that Clarkson can provide.
Jordan Clarkson’s contract would not be difficult for the Hawks to acquire
Clarkson is making just over $14 million a year for the next two seasons, and Atlanta has the necessary contracts to make a trade work quite easily.
Larry Nance Jr. has been heavily floated in trade rumors for the Hawks due to his expiring $11.2 million contract and his glaring absence from Atlanta’s healthy rotation. The Hawks could feasibly combine Nance’s salary with Cody Zeller’s $3.5 million deal in a 2-for-1 trade for Clarkson.
Atlanta would be giving away two non-rotation players for a bench piece that would instantly have consistent minutes as a second-unit sparkplug. On paper, this sort of deal seems like a no-brainer.
Clarkson’s instant offense would make him a fascinating addition to a Hawks squad that lacks isolation scoring outside of Ice Trae. If Atlanta wants to make any postseason noise, this is the kind of move the front office needs to consider.