Hawks rumors: Sixers, Thunder interested in Dewayne Dedmon

The Hawks simply do not have the tools right now to be competitive. That is also a big reason why the Hawks are viewed as sellers as the trade deadline approaches. While Atlanta is not exactly brimming with talented assets, big man Dewayne Dedmon is among the few players the Hawks could use as trade baits.

The Atlanta Hawks are not to be mistaken for a playoff team. They simply do not have the tools right now to be competitive. That is also a big reason why the Hawks are viewed as sellers as the trade deadline approaches. While Atlanta is not exactly brimming with talented assets, big man Dewayne Dedmon is among the few players the Hawks could use as trade baits.

Dedmon signed a two-year deal with the Hawks last year but has a player option in the last year of that contract, which he is expected to pick up. That makes Dedmon a tricky player to trade for teams looking to beef up their frontcourt, though that’s not stopping the Philadelphia 76ers and the Oklahoma City Thunder from considering the viability of adding the 28-year-old center to their lineups, as noted by Sean Deveney of Sporting News.

Ideally, the Hawks could fetch a late first-rounder for Dedmon. But first-round picks will be hard to come by on Thursday, and no one’s giving up a first-round pick for a few months of Dedmon, even as he has played better since returning. Still, the Bucks have expressed interest, sources told Sporting News, and though the Sixers are expected to make a push for help on the wing, there’s been some interest from Philadelphia, which will have four second-round picks in this year’s draft. Oklahoma City, too, is looking for wing help, but has interest in Dedmon for frontcourt depth.

The Sixers have one of the best big men in the game today in the form of Joel Embiid, but behind him is one-dimensional backup Amir Johnson. Dedmon, on the other hand, is capable in handling things on both ends of the floor. So far this season, Dedmon is averaging 10.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks per game, while also shooting 38.3 percent from behind the arc.

As for the Thunder, having Dedmon around would be a welcome addition for the team, as the former USC Trojan could provide balance on the floor whenever Steven Adams gets a breather.

The Hawks will weigh their options, but it’s been abundantly clear that Dedmon is among the primary targets on their team.