With the NBA Trade Deadline coming up soon, there will be a frenzy of moves around the league. Contending teams will be looking to add players separate from other contenders, while rebuilding teams will be looking to acquire draft picks. The Atlanta Hawks have started the season in 9th place in the East, coming off of their Conference Finals appearance. They have yet to get in the same rhythm as last year and should be active at the trade deadline to get back to contention.
With that said, here are three players the Hawks must pursue at the 2022 NBA Trade Deadline.
Hawks Trade Targets At 2022 NBA Trade Deadline
3. Kenrich Williams
K-Rich, Monster Competitor.
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) December 7, 2021
While the Hawks have not been a great team this year, they still have a talented core. A minor trade to add depth could help them improve defensively. Kenrich Williams could be a target for Atlanta as he would bring a defensive presence at wing as well as 3-point shooting.
Williams plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are in the midst of a full-fledged rebuild. They have been willing to trade away players at the deadline over the past few years for future draft picks.
This season, Williams is averaging 6.8 points per game while shooting 37.0 percent from behind the arc. His defensive versatility to guard multiple positions would help the Hawks' defense get back on track.
2. Garrett Temple
Garrett Temple is another player that could come in and help the Hawks. He is a defensive-minded player that has a solid shot from three. Temple currently plays for the New Orleans Pelicans, who have struggled to get going this season. They may look to unload Temple for a future draft pick, as he is on three-year, $15 million deal.
On the season, he is averaging 5.5 points per game and shooting 36.8 percent from three. Temple would not only bring defense but also veteran leadership to a young core of players. Although the stats may not show it, Temple impacts the game and would be a welcome addition to Atlanta.
Herb Jones walked to Tony Brothers to ask him why that was a foul. Brothers was somewhat dismissive at first but Garrett Temple walked up and said "Explain it to him, he's just a rookie." Brothers then gave Herb a fuller explanation of why he made the call.
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) December 4, 2021
The ideal trade target for the Hawks should be Justin Holiday. Holiday is an established 3-and-D wing that could come in and instantly improve the Atlanta defense. With the Indiana Pacers heading into a rebuild, they could go on a fire sale and trade their players for future draft picks. This would be an ideal scenario for Atlanta as they could add a player that would help them get back to contention in the Eastern Conference.
Holiday is averaging 9.9 points per game while shooting 35.7 percent from three. The Hawks currently rank 25th in the NBA in defensive rating, which won't cut it if they want to make another deep playoff run. While these additions may not be exciting, they would be great additions to help the Hawks get over the hump.
The Eastern Conference is full of competition this season, and it will be a challenging journey for Atlanta in the postseason. There are multiple contenders in the East, and Nate McMillan's group needs to improve their defense to get back in the race. Trae Young is one of the most dynamic young players in the league, and he elevated the Hawks above where they should be in the playoffs last year. With a solid young core around him, adding a defensive player or two could be all they need.
The Hawks should be active at the 2022 NBA Trade Deadline to get back on track this season.
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