Will the Atlanta Hawks that take the floor for the season opener on October 23 versus the Brooklyn Nets be the same group that takes the floor on April 13 against the Orlando Magic?
Even when subtracting injuries, that question will linger over the Atlanta Hawks.
It is likely to last through the trade deadline in February and through the post-deadline cut/free agency surge that typically follows. The Hawks have made enough changes to stand pat and at least see what the current group has.
However, Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale suggested a trade to “inspire the NBA’s worst defenses” and the Hawks certainly qualified.
Atlanta would send Larry Nance Jr. to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Dean Wade and Ty Jerome.
Grading the trade: Proposal sends Cavs duo to Hawks for Larry Nance Jr.
The Hawks’ social media team rolled out a video clip to welcome him to Atlanta, for whatever that is worth in the grand scheme of things. Still, he was already viewed as the Hawks’ big man with the most trade value even as Capela was readily available by all accounts.
Favale’s suggestion would help balance out the Hawks’ roster a bit, freeing up more minutes for backup center Onyeka Okongwu, who has started a four-year, $61.9 million contract extension.
The Hawks must free up minutes at the 4 spot if they keep him behind Capela at that rate.
“Nance has plenty of defensive utility in his own right, but he's a tad redundant when Atlanta also has Clint Capela, Onyeka Okongwu and Jalen Johnson on the roster. This isn't a huge deal if the Hawks are intending to play small and/or move Capela, or if they believe Nance can check wings most of the time,” Favale wrote on September 12, noting that the final possibility should be out of the question.
“Atlanta needs more of a true-wing defender. Dyson Daniels and Zaccharie Risacher are viable options but profile as imperfect. Daniels' offensive value exists on shaky ground if he doesn't have the ball, and expecting Risacher to emerge as a net-positive two-way ring in his rookie season is an awfully big ask.”
On the surface, this deal would at least reunite Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter with college teammate Ty Jerome. The duo won a national championship together at Virginia in 2019 on a team boasting a top-flight defense. It would also pair Nance with his younger brother, Pete, in Cleveland.