High-energy former All-Rookie floated as Hawks' top trade target

The Hawks have had issues with their backup point guard minutes. All of their plans have hit varying levels of snags this season, mostly tied to injuries. But even when healthy, their lack of scoring punch when Trae Young has continued to be an issue. 

Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz suggested three trade targets as the “top” suggested trade targets for the Hawks. 

Two of them are point/combo guards, including Collins Sexton of the Utah Jazz.

“Outside of Trae Young, there's not a lot of playmaking on this Atlanta Hawks roster. For a franchise that's continually struggled to defend (115.0 rating, 20th overall), the Hawks could use some more wings who can guard multiple positions alongside Young,” Swartz wrote on November 25.

“Sexton, 25, is a Georgia native who's averaging 15.8 points, 3.1 assists and shooting 44.4 percent from three this season. He regularly gives good effort on defense and could play alongside Young or Dyson Daniels.”

Collin Sexton floated as Hawks 'top' trade target

Sexton was the No. 8 overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, and he earned a spot on the All-Rookie Second Team. After four years with the organization, he was traded to the Jazz in 2022.

The 6-foot-1 guard is really an undersized 2, though he can handle the ball and gets downhill.

Sexton is averaging 17.2 points, 3.2 assists, and 2.4 rebounds this season while shooting 47.9% from the floor and 45.3% from beyond the arc. He is in Year 3 of a four-year, $70.9 million contract.

The Hawks will have Young for at least another year before his player option comes into play. And 2023 first-round pick Kobe Bufkin is finally healthy.

Still, if the Hawks have any interest in contending for anything, they might need an upgrade.

That being said, they have seemingly embraced their youth and the ups and downs that will come with that. Young, for all of his accolades, is still just 26 years old. The Hawks have also enjoyed breakouts from Dyson Daniels and Jalen Johnson (again).

It would not be surprising to see them hold off on anything drastic, especially with their own draft picks owed to the San Antonio Spurs.

Swartz also suggested former Hawks guard Dennis Schroder.

Currently a starter for the Brooklyn Nets, it is unclear if Schroder would welcome a change in his role, especially when he has proven effective in most of his stops. The other target Swartz suggested was Josh Green of the Charlotte Hornets.

Notably, the Hawks had eyes for Green, a wing, during trade talks with the Dallas Mavericks during the summer of 2023.