The Atlanta Hawks are in full rebuild mode and it could be an extensive build or they could build a contender faster with the right moves. One move I think they should explore is making a deal with Miami for Hassan Whiteside. He recently made "detrimental" comments about whether he was still wanted by the team and I think it opens the door for trade talks. I know you're saying here he goes again, but think about this before you rush to judgment on why I think Atlanta should explore a trade.
Whiteside fills a major need:
Atlanta has been average at best at center since Horford left in free agency and that's no knock to Dedmon, but Whiteside is agiler, a better defender and he brings a higher ceiling. Atlanta ranks near the bottom of the league in every major statistical category at the Center position, Points 17.9 (25th), Rebounds 13.2 (T-22nd) and Blocks 1.6 (24th) so Whiteside would be an upgrade. He averages 14 points nearly 12 rebounds and 2 blocks per game and has seen his minutes decrease so those numbers could be a bit better.
The Hawks need to move contracts off the books:
Kent Bazemore has not filled the Hawks need as a scorer and it may be time to move his $17.5 million salary and build off of it. It will go up to around $18 million next season so this may be the perfect opportunity to dump it. Dennis Schröder is becoming a wildcard with his off the court issues, it makes you wonder if they should have made more offers at the trade deadline. There were some offers but nothing could push the Hawks into making a deal. Travis Schlenk is building a team his way and I don't see either player in his plans. Schröder is the biggest offensive threat but I think Atlanta could get more bang for the buck in the right deal.
Opens up options in the draft:
If the Hawks want to build a team the right way (I think they will), then a strong foundation needs to be in place. I think bringing in Whiteside adds to your already young and talented frontcourt with Prince and Collins. Bring in Ayton, Bagley or Sexton and your team may be back off the ground and running in the next two years. Atlanta had 3 picks in the first round so they could shuffle some of those with Bazemore or Schröder and get equal value. One thing for sure Schlenk will have a chance to build a winner and help Coach Budenholzer stick around longer.
A trade proposal that could get the deal done:
Hawks get:
C/F Hassan Whiteside
Heat get:
G/F Kent Bazemore
F DeAndre Bembry
C/F Mike Muscula
2019 1st round pick (30th)
I would definitively give it a shot if I'm the Hawks GM because it's time to put your print on the team. He's put a plan in place I'm sure it will bring a new atmosphere to Phillips Arena along with the remodel. This could be the most important draft in Atlanta's history, so management has to make it count.
Follow me on:
Twitter: @fatboislim_ 21
Facebook: Smitty's Sports Machine
Instagram: an2won
Comments
Post a Comment