We all knew the Hawks were looking for help at the center position, but most assumed the work was done when Atlanta acquired Clint Capela late Tuesday evening. That was not the case. The Hawks quietly made another acquisition on Wednesday night, doubling down at center by acquiring Dewayne Dedmon and two second-round picks from the Sacramento Kings for Jabari Parker and Alex Len:
Sacrameto is trading Dewayne Dedmon to Atlanta for Jabari Parker and Alex Len, sources tell @ZachLowe_NBA and me. Atlanta also gets two second round picks.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 6, 2020
The Hawks loved Dedmon and the veteran presence he brought to the team over the last two seasons. There seemed to be mutual interest in a return last offseason, but the Kings made him too big an offer to refuse. However, things did not go as planned in Sacramento, and Dedmon publicly requested a trade, which he was later fined for. Atlanta had reportedly expressed interest in reacquiring Dedmon, but the asking price was said to be too high. However, they appear to have gotten their guy back in a buzzer-beater deal at the deadline.
Jabari Parker started off the season hot and looked like he could be one of the steals of free agency. However, his play waned throughout the year, and the injury bug stirred back up for him. He has not played in over a month but seems to be nearing a return. Parker has a player option worth $6.5 million for next season, and his play going forward will likely dictate whether he decides to opt back into that deal. I thought the Hawks might like to have him on the bench next season, but this trade signals they may have thought he was going to opt-out in the offseason.
As for Len, he is a quality NBA role player but struggled as a starter when called upon for Atlanta. He is on an expiring contract, and there is simply no room for him on the roster with both Capela and Dedmon coming to town.
The good news is that while Dedmon did get a rather large contract from the Kings, it is only guaranteed through next season. The Hawks have made it evident how much they value what he has to offer to the team, and also get to take away two second-round picks. They patched up their most glaring need and gave away no pieces from their young core to do so.
Welcome back, Dewayne. We are excited to see you back in a Hawks uniform.
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