We finally have some clear cut sellers! This trade deadline might finally look interesting with a team that aren’t waiting until it’s two late and prepare for a future that will hopefully include some more 60 win games. I am of course talking about the Atlanta Hawks
According to ESPN’s Kevin Arnovitz and Brian Windhorst, the Hawks want to trade off their core players since they know the reality that they’re at best a low Playoffs seed team.
This realization has prompted Atlanta to think long and hard about Horford, who is in the final year of a five-year, $60 million contract extension. The Hawks must decide whether to re-sign their big man to a hefty five-year deal, or try to move him now while they can get value.
If the Hawks decide to test the market for Horford, numerous teams would potentially show interest. Sources inform ESPN that the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, and Magic have been the most aggressive in looking to acquire a veteran difference maker.
Teague’s favorable contract, which will pay him $8 million in 2016-17, coupled with the potential shown by backup Dennis Schroder, has rendered the seven-year veteran shoppable. Schoder, chosen with the 17th overall pick in the 2013 draft, emerged last season as a potent, if sometimes erratic weapon off the bench. In addition, the coaching staff admires the 22-year-old’s competitive streak, a quality the mellower Teague exhibits more sparingly.
In a league increasingly focused on shooting, long-range specialist Korver is another player who has attracted interest, though sources say he is less likely to leave Atlanta.
The Hawks are playing this so smart I love it. Amazing awareness.
They know that they’re in the middle of the pack again, Horford is going to be a free agent, Shroeder is ready to take the reigns from Teague, Korver’s shooting ability is very valuable in today’s NBA. All of these are great reasons to just blow it up, gather them prospects and picks and make the rebuild as short as possible.
