According to recent rumors, the Atlanta Hawks are interested in acquiring Marcus Smart. It makes sense from the Hawks' standpoint, given their shaky guard defense, which they will need to improve before the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Let's look at three trades the Hawks may consider in order to get Marcus Smart from the Boston Celtics.

While all of these trades could be tough, some contending teams are going to overpay and due to the players’ salary, they will have to give back a big package. Not all of these trades are likely, but contending teams are going to be doing everything they can to get better, which could cause some wild trades to be done, as we have seen in the past. Teams in a rebuild type of situation will also attempt to move some key players, and at times, for less than what they are worth.

*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)*

Atlanta Hawks Trades For Marcus Smart

Celtics get: Lou Williams, Gorgui Dieng, Jalen Johnson

Hawks get: Marcus Smart

The Hawks may not be interested in parting with Gorgui Deang and Jalen Johnson because Johnson is still early in his career and Dieng may be a competent backup center. The Hawks may also be hesitant to part with a player like Lou Williams since he is someone who can come in and provide offense. The fact is that, aside from Lou Williams, none of these two guys will play for the Hawks when the game is on the line. When it comes to the playoffs, none of them will see any action, which is something the Hawks will have to seriously consider. Jalen Johnson has the potential to be a good player for them in a few years, but he doesn't have a role in the Hawks rotation right now.

It would seem like a no-brainer for the Hawks if they could pull off a deal like this for Marcus Smart.

Atlanta may not be able to persuade the Celtics to accept this deal, but they would be receiving an experienced point guard and Lou Williams in return, and with reports that they're about to move Dennis Schroder, it is something they should consider.

Atlanta would undoubtedly lose some offense if Lou Williams were to go, but there is no doubt that the defensive side of the guard position is needed more than the offensive portion. Marcus Smart is unquestionably a stronger defender than Lou Williams, and there's a case to be made that he's one of the best defensive guards in the league, which is something the Hawks will be yearning for at the deadline.

Celtics get: Lou Williams, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Delon Wright

Hawks get: Marcus Smart, Josh Richardson

Because the Hawks would also bring back Josh Richardson, who has demonstrated that he can be an above-average player in this league, this may be something they consider. It would be difficult for the Hawks to part with a player like Bogdan Bogdanovic, but it would make sense if they return Marcus Smart, who they urgently need, and a player like Josh Richardson, who can play defense and be an above-average offensive player.

The Hawks aren't keen about losing Bogdan Bogdanovic, but they do have a plethora of other players who can spread the floor at a high level. Bogdanovic is one of the top 3-point shooters in the NBA, thus losing him would be a significant blow to the team's offense. Factor in the sense that they'd also be losing Lou Williams, and it's not certain that this is the greatest move for the Hawks. They'll almost certainly have to move Lou Williams and someone else they don't want to trade if they want to obtain a player like Marcus Smart.

Celtics get: Lou Williams, Danilo Gallinari, future 2nd-round pick

Hawks get: Marcus Smart, Dennis Schroder, Josh Richardson

This may be something the Celtics would consider since they would be getting Lou Williams, who could be a positive once again, and Danilo Gallinari, who can hit the three-point shot, which the Celtics urgently need. There have been rumors that they may also trade Dennis Schroder, and this might be an opportunity for the Hawks to reclaim a second-unit guard. Marcus Smart would make sense as the starting shooting guard alongside Trae Young, just because he can provide them with the defensive edge they need. Dennis Schroder could come off the bench and do almost what Lou Williams is doing, but he might not be as good of a scorer as Williams.

Atlanta would have to trade a future second-round pick, which they may not want to do, but the fact is that this Hawks squad is constructed to win now. Unless they get a steal in the draft, they aren't going to be able to find a player in the second round who can contribute to this team. Most of the Hawks' draft selections will almost certainly be moved in the near future, as they will need as many players as possible around Trae Young to have a positive and instant impact as soon as possible.