One of the deepest questions of the now-infamous Trae Young trade was what the Atlanta Hawks could get in return. Now that we’re eight days past one of the biggest transactions in franchise history, we can objectively say that the Hawks sacrificed vanity for depth.
Adding CJ McCollum gives Head Coach Quin Snyder a solidified veteran in the second unit. He’s an excellent bench piece, given his experience in the playoffs alongside Damian Lillard in Portland and as a vocal leader in New Orleans.
It’s evident that CJ is a better player than Corey Kispert, but the three-point marksman will be an X factor for Atlanta moving forward. The Hawks have needed more shooting the last three seasons.
Under Trae Young’s leadership, the supporting cast was inconsistent, averaging around 36% as a team. With the addition of Kispert (39.5%), Atlanta now has five players shooting around 40% or higher from behind the arc. He’s proved himself in Washington, leading the team in three-point field goals attempted and made, before the Wednesday night trade.
A few hours before his debut with the Hawks, sideline reporter Matt Winer asked Kispert about joining a team known for their shooting, to which he replied:
" [The Hawks' three-point shooting] is very, very appealing, it's obviously the first thing that came to my mind when I got traded here, like CJ [McCullom] said, playing for Quin, [Snyder] and playing on this team that values the three ball so much, it feels like i can fit in and help this team win a few more ball games right away," Kispert said. "The opportunity will showcase my skillset in all its forms. Putting on a new jersey is an awesome feeling."
He was such an important asset that Washington Wizards GM Will Dawkins decided to give him a $54 million extension. The Hawks will reap the benefits of the 26-year-old Kipsert hitting his stride in Atlanta, and with Luke Kennard on an expiring contract, Corey joined the team at the perfect time.
New surroundings in a new system
Unfortunately, Kispert struggled in his Hawks debut, finishing the game with two points and 0-4 from three. He bounced back against the Lakers, finishing the game with 19 points. His poor performance in the first game was understandable, as it was the first game under a new system.
We saw how Kennard struggled during his first few months on the roster, but now he’s finally hitting his stride. During the Hawks' 124-111 win over the Golden State Warriors, Luke finished with 22 points and hit multiple daggers in transition.
Once Kispert becomes accustomed to Atlanta's fast-paced style, he will be able to do the same. According to 3stepbaskets.com, Corey shoots over 40% from both corners and an incredible 56% from the top of the key.
As he gets comfortable, Kispert’s shooting prowess will elevate the Hawks to another level, and he’s also an underrated defender. Atlanta has already shown improvement in their interior defense with the addition of rookie Asa Newell. It's evident that the Hawks are leaning toward a defense-first approach in the Jalen Johnson era, which has led to more fast-break points, ranking them fourth among 30 teams (17.7).
Corey will be a great addition on the perimeter. He has the body type the Hawks have longed for, standing 6’6 and weighing 224 lbs. Most of their perimeter defenders struggle to absorb contact, and Kispert proved he could hold his own in Washington.
Although he spent most of his time in D.C. enduring losses, Kispert remains a valuable veteran with five years of experience. Saleh has been preaching "flexibility & optionality" in all of his press conferences, and Corey provides Atlanta with both.