The NBA trade deadline is four days away, and the Hawks should be rather popular in rumors since Travis Schlenk told media members that Atlanta will likely shake up the roster.
Most recently, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reported the Hawks have interest in multiple difference-making players. Kirschner says that Atlanta has inquired about CJ McCollum of the Blazers and Marcus Smart of the Celtics, along with others.
The Hawks have zero interest in being a lottery team, especially after making it to the Eastern Conference finals last season, so they’re going to continue to be aggressive on the trade market. That’s why they’re one of the consistent teams that come up in trade conversations. They’re heavily linked to Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons, have been linked to Detroit’s Jerami Grant and have interest in Boston’s Marcus Smart and Portland’s CJ McCollum, sources say.
The backcourt defense of Trae Young and McCollum is problematic, but he would provide the Hawks with a much-needed and reliably proven shot creator. McCollum could provide relief when Young is off the floor, even if his defense leaves much to be desired. If Portland decides to tear it down, this could really jumpstart a rebuild for the Blazers since Atlanta would likely give up serious draft capital in this scenario.
Smart is an entirely different target. The Hawks have been interested in Smart for quite some time, and it is obvious why — defense and creating on the offensive end. He gives the Hawks just that. Smart can provide Atlanta a respected voice in the locker room while being a tenacious defender who will more than likely turn around the team’s lethargic effort on that end of the court.
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Photographer:Â Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire
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