Before the season started, the Atlanta Hawks and their players talked about making the playoffs as a main goal.
If the playoffs started today, the Hawks would fall well short of that goal. Atlanta is just 6-21 on the season and in the 14th spot in the Eastern Conference standings.
However, because the back half of the East is so bad, the Hawks still have a shot at getting that eighth and final playoff spot if they get point guard Trae Young some help. That's why a former NBA executive believes the Hawks could be a sneaky buyer now that trade season has begun, per Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report:
“The Atlanta Hawks may be a sneaky buyer,” the former executive said. “They haven't gotten the results they expected so far this season.”
The Hawks (6-21) have several large expiring contracts (Chandler Parsons, Evan Turner and Allen Crabbe) along with young players and draft picks they could offer. They’d be wise to appease second-year star Trae Young by providing him a more ready-to-win veteran in Love.
“Teams are going to look at Cleveland like they're doing them a favor taking Love's contract off their hands. Some may want compensation. Each team is going to have a different evaluation,” the former GM said. “But the [Phoenix] Suns may be the best fit.”
Young is averaging 27.8 points and 8.5 assists on the season. The next highest scorer in Atlanta is John Collins, who has only played in five this season due to a PED suspension.
Will the Hawks shock the NBA landscape and trade for Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star Kevin Love? Only time will tell. But it's clear Atlanta needs another dynamic scorer next to Young.
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