It was previously reported that the Atlanta Hawks were willing to trade away almost anybody on their roster that held value for the right return. The biggest names in the rumor mill were said to be Dewayne Dedmon, Marco Bellineli, Ersan Ilyasova, amongst others. An update by GiveMeSport's Marc Deeks confirms the Hawks are pushing hard for Dewayne Dedmon trades:

“GiveMeSport has learned that the Atlanta Hawks are trying to trade Dewayne Dedmon. While it appears to not have been reported prior, it nonetheless will (or should) come as no surprise to Hawks fans to know that.”

Why should it come as no surprise? Because Dedmon is having a career year by a mile and the Hawks need assets rather than veterans. The 28-year old averages 10.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists on 58.2 percent shooting from the field and 41 percent from behind the three-point arc in 24 games; this last stat is remarkable, as Dedmon had only attempted one three in his whole career before this season. He is on a super cheap two-year contract too. But Atlanta has a serious issue with regards to Dedmon's contract.

As Deeks' piece explains, the Hawks basically signed Dedmon as a one-year rental for a low salary. Before signing with the Hawks, Dedmon thought he could get more money somewhere else, but that was not the case. He settled for a two-year $12.3 million offer from Atlanta, but with the second year being a player option. With Dedmon playing as well as he has, there is zero percent chance he will pick up his player option because he knows he can get more money on a new contract.

Thus, what is the motivation for any team to get him if he will play half a season with them and then hit free agency asking for at least double of what he made this season, if not more? This is why the market is dry for him and why the Hawks have an urgency to move him before the NBA trade deadline. Atlanta would rather get something in return than have him walk away for nothing. Finding an offer for Dedmon should be very hard. The best shot Atlanta has to get rid of him is finding a trade partner, trading away two, or even three players.