The Atlanta Hawks are said to be open for business ahead of the trade deadline, particularly when it comes to their veteran players. One of their most highly sought-after players just so happens to be seeking more playing time.
How will everything play out?
The player, veteran big man Larry Nance Jr., is not pushing for a trade. To the contrary, Nance wants more minutes in the Hawks’ rotation and wants head coach Quin Snyder to know it.
“Larry Nance Jr. has had to get used to a new role this season because for the first time in his career, he hasn't been a rotation player,” FanDuel TV’s Tabitha Turner-Wilkins said during the second quarter of the Hawks’ game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday. “Larry told me that it's definitely been difficult. It has not been easy, and he'd be lying if he said it was easy. But it's also giving him a chance to get better at certain parts of his game that he hasn't been good at.
“Improving from beyond the arc was something that he wanted to be better about this offseason because it's a part of his game that he wasn't as good at. He said that he's gonna get a run in the rotation with Onyeka being out these next few games. His only hope is to make the decision for Quin Snyder and his coaches as difficult as possible once Onyeka returns.”
Nance was not very efficient shooting the ball in the Hawks’ 128-112 loss to the Grizzlies, shooting 25% from the floor and going 1-for-6 from beyond the arc. He still stuffed the stat sheet with 7 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, and 1 steal.
Nance is on an expiring two-year, $21.6 million contract.
His skill set and $11.2 million cap hit for this season have long made him an appealing potential trade candidate.
“The Atlanta big man drawing the most external interest is newly acquired Larry Nance Jr.,” The Stein Line’s Marc Stein wrote on July 11 (subscription required). “Word is Nance, who came to the Hawks in the recent Dejounte Murray trade, is being chased by multiple teams in need of proven size.”
Trading Larry Nance Jr. not a simple decision for Hawks
Okongwu’s injury is a speed bump in that rumored plan. He is expected to be reevaluated after three more games, putting his earliest potential return date on December 28 at home against the Miami Heat.
The Hawks embark on a six-game road trip after that, which seems less than ideal for a return.
Nance’s appeal over his fellow available big man is understandable. He is available at a cheaper cost than Clint Capela and is more versatile than Cody Zeller, who has not played.
One problem the Hawks face is that all three big men will be unrestricted free agents after the season. It makes sense from a business standpoint to move them for useful players or draft picks rather than lose them for nothing in free agency.
There is an argument for not doing anything drastic when the team showed well when healthy.
Another problem the Hawks face is that they have been just good enough to make both paths forward viable, making it risky to choose either one.