Exploring Atlanta’s options ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline.
[All statistics used are accurate as of 02/02/25]
After establishing themselves as one of the league’s most intriguing young teams over the first few months of the season, the Atlanta Hawks have lost eight out of their last nine games, find themselves four games below .500, and are currently sitting in ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings.
To make matters worse, they got word last week that star forward*, Jalen Johnson, will be sidelined for the rest of the season after suffering a torn labrum in his left shoulder — which, combined with the team’s shaky play as of late, puts the front office in a position to act (or at the very least, explore their options) ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline.
*and the only Hawk with a positive point differential in their minutes this season (min. 100 minutes played)
As you’ve probably heard (or read), the Hawks don’t own their first or second round pick in the upcoming draft* which means that there is no benefit to tanking going forwards. And with a star player in Trae Young who is as competitive as they come (and more importantly, under contract for just one more season**) there’s no question about this team’s intentions for the rest of the season: they will be playing to win.
*Atlanta also don’t have control over their picks in the 2026 and 2027 drafts, meaning that (barring a trade to reacquire those picks) this is going to be the case for a while.
**Young does have a player option for 2026-27. He is eligible to sign an extension at the end of this season.
Today let’s take a look at a few areas of need for the Atlanta Hawks, as well as a couple of under the radar trade targets that could help address them.
If Atlanta does make a trade, what type of player should they try to get?
Looking at the roster, and how the team has performed this year, one area that could use some upgrading is the ball handling in their second unit.
Per cleaningtheglass (which does not account for garbage time), Atlanta is being outscored by 7.7 points per 100 possessions with Trae Young on the bench, with their offense rating plummeting to 105.6* in these minutes. While organization in the halfcourt and more generally speaking, shotmaking has been an issue for these lineups, taking care of the ball has been a problem as well, with 16.5% of their possessions ending in turnovers**.
*A mark which ranks in just the ninth percentile relative to other 5-man lineups with at least 100 minutes played this season per cleaningtheglass.
**A mark which ranks in just the 14th percentile relative to other 5-man lineups with at least 100 minutes played this season per cleaningtheglass.
Atlanta’s backup ball handling duties have been shared by Kobe Bufkin*, Vit Krejci, Dyson Daniels and Keaton Wallace this season (none of whom had a ton of experience running an offense at the NBA level prior to this season), so, at least for now, adding a veteran to help shoulder some of the ball handling duties in these minutes would really help these lineups survive.
*Atlanta’s first-round pick in 2023 who is out for the the season with a right shoulder injury
Another area of need that’s been highlighted, italicized and underscored in the wake of Jalen Johnson’s injury is the need for some more depth at the forward position. Hunter and Risacher have not shared the court that much this season, and when they have, the Hawks have been roasted on the defensive end, posting a 128.5 defensive rating* in 261 possessions with both players on the floor.
*Not the biggest sample size, but opponents are shooting 42% from three and 76% at the rim in these minutes, per cleaningtheglass.
I have faith in Vit Krejci (6’8”) to man the ‘3’, however when he slides up a position, he tends to struggle against the league’s more physically imposing 4’s on the defensive end. For me, it seems like his defensive skillset is better utilized on the perimeter.
Atlanta has gotten admirable performances from Larry Nance Jr., Mouhamed Gueye and Dominick Barlow in Johnson’s stead, but none of them have been truly convincing. Given the need to stay competitive this season, it would be fair for the front office to explore options for some short term help at the ‘4’.
Last not but not least, the Hawks could sorely use some more shooting in their rotation. Atlanta ranks in the bottom-five in three-point percentage despite generating the fifth-most “wide open” three-point attempts per game* this season.
Of course, the Hawks have had to sacrifice some of their offensive firepower in order to build a more competent defense around Trae Young, meaning that any upgrades to the shooting cannot come at the expense of the team’s defense. However, watching this team, it’s quite clear that bolstering the three-point attack would go a long way towards raising their offensive ceiling.
*Atlanta ranks 27th in “wide open” three-point percentage this season, converting just 36.3% of their 3PA’s without a defender within 6-feet of the shooter this season.
Who’s out there?
Now onto the fun part. I’ve identified a few buckets of players that I would do my due diligence on if I were a member of Atlanta’s front office.
To be clear, while I think the following moves could help, I don’t think that it’s imperative for the Hawks to make a trade in order to stay competitive this year*. This organization has shown an ability and willingness to nurture raw talent over the past few seasons, and given their track record, there’s a real chance that a player like Gueye or Barlow could turn into a contributor once they grow more familiar in their role**.
*In a first-round playoff series, that is
**You won’t find me kicking and screaming at the prospect of more Mo Gueye minutes as he is an absolute menace on the defensive end of the floor. Dom Barlow’s offensive skillset is also quite intriguing.
It’s also important to remember that the Hawks are a team that will almost certainly not be paying the luxury tax, which has to be considered when making any (fake) moves.
For example, I feel quite confident in saying that Atlanta will not be paying Brandon Ingram this summer — not only because he takes roughly 25% of his field goals from between 14-feet and the 3-point line (one of my personal sticking points) — but because he is reportedly in search of a max contract this summer. That is something that is simply not feasible for the Hawks given Trae Young and Jalen Johnson’s future salaries, not to mention a looming extension for Dyson Daniels.
I’ve included the Hawks “tradeable” salaries below. While the Luka Doncic trade reminded us over the weekend that no player is truly “untouchable” in trade talks, Trae Young, Jalen Johnson, Zaccharie Risacher, and Dyson Daniels are off the table for the purposes of this discussion. Clint Capela, Larry Nance Jr., Cody Zeller, David Roddy, and Garrison Mathews are all on expiring contracts. You can find Atlanta’s stash of future draft picks here.
Alright, let’s get into it.
Bucket #1: Value-Add Guards To Help Bolster The Second Unit
Jevon Carter (Chicago Bulls)
Contract: $6.5M in 24-25, Player Option for $6.8M for 25-26
The Chicago Bulls have a glut of point guards and just acquired another one (in Tre Jones) over the weekend, meaning that Carter could be available for a minimal price. At 29, Carter has six years of NBA experience under his belt, is a feisty defender, and can knock down the three-ball at a decent clip (over half of his career field-goal attempts have come from three-point range).
While his assist rate isn’t particularly high for a primary ball handler, he does a good job taking care of the ball, and would help provide some stability to the second unit. Carter’s player option for next season could prove to be problematic, but he could prove be worth it if he pans out.
Max. Value to the Hawks: Cody Zeller, David Roddy
Nah’Shon “Bones” Hyland (Los Angeles Clippers)
Contract situation: $4.2M in 24-25, free agent after this season
After establishing himself as an offensive spark plug over his first two seasons in Denver, Bones Hyland (the 26th overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft) has had a hard time carving out a spot for himself in Ty Lue’s rotation in Los Angeles — having appeared in only 56 games for LA over the last two seasons.
Hyland’s primary offensive skill is his shooting ability — having canned 39% of his non-garbage time three-point attempts over the past two seasons, per cleaningtheglass. While turnovers have been a problem for him over the past few seasons, Hyland has a career 2:1 assist to turnover ratio, is just 24 years old, and could be available to be re-signed on a team-friendly deal this summer given his lack of playing time in Los Angeles.
Of course, it is worth noting that Hyland’s presence on the roster would likely encroach on Kobe Bufkin’s role as the backup point-guard of the future. However, given Bufkin’s unfortunate injury history early on in his career, it probably wouldn’t hurt to have some more options.
Max. Value to the Hawks: Cody Zeller + ATL’s top-44 protected 2030 2nd-round pick
Dante Exum (Dallas Mavericks)
Contract Situation: $3.2M in 24-25, free agent after this season
After injury woes, turnover troubles, and a shaky outside jump shot subverted his status as a top-five draft pick, Dante Exum spent two years overseas before returning to the NBA to suit up for the Dallas Mavericks last season.
Though he played just under 20 minutes a night during the regular season (and even fewer minutes in the Playoffs), Exum was a high-level contributor for a Dallas team that made the Finals and could be available for a reasonable price given that the Mavericks have quite a few guards on their roster in Kyrie Irving, Spencer Dinwiddie, Jaden Hardy, and the recently acquired, Max Christie.
While Exum was not one of the primary ball handlers in Dallas, he posted the lowest turnover rate of his career last season, has decent passing vision, and would be an intriguing fit in the Hawks’ bench unit. As I referenced earlier, Exum shot just 30.5% from three over the first six seasons of his career, however after returning from his overseas stint, he shot an incredible 49.1% from three on two attempts per game for the Mavericks.
Additionally, as a 6’6” guard, his size poses problems for opponents on the defensive end, and you don’t have to watch him play for too long to see that he’s an impactful defensive player.
Exum just returned to the Mavericks rotation last week after getting surgery on his right wrist over the summer, and given that he’s set to become a free agent after the season is over, could be a solid low risk, high upside addition to the bench unit.
*I know, not great for a player with a historically shaky jump shot
Max. Value to the Hawks: David Roddy + Los Angeles Clippers 2027 2nd-round pick (Unprotected)
Dalano Banton (Portland Trail Blazers)
Contract Situation: $2.2M in 24-25, free agent after this season
Banton is an extremely intriguing 6’9” guard who has yet to settle into a home at the NBA level, spending two seasons in Toronto and half of a season in Boston before being dealt to the Blazers at last year’s trade deadline.
While scoring efficiency was not Banton’s strong suit through his first three seasons, he has looked more confident since being acquired by Portland and this year, he is shooting a career-best 35.7% from beyond the arc (on 3.3 attempts per game).
Banton played point guard during his first two seasons in Toronto, and while he’s operated at the two more often over the past two seasons, he is still a strong playmaker who doesn’t turn the ball over excessively.
At 6’9”, with a 6’10” wingspan, Banton’s length would make Atlanta’s bench even more imposing on the defensive end of the floor, and his knack for jumping passing lanes (2.1% steal percentage this season) would be a perfect fit alongside this unit.
Given that Banton has the highest on/off impact on the Trail Blazers this season, I’d be surprised if the team was actively looking to trade him (especially given their red hot form as of late). However, given Portland’s committed salaries for next season, as well as the fact that they spent significant draft capital on Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson and are likely to prioritize their development over Banton’s, it’s possible that he is available for the right price.
Max. Value to the Hawks: David Roddy + Houston Rockets 2028 2nd-round pick (Unprotected) + ATL’s top-44 protected 2030 2nd-round pick
Bucket #2: Options To Weather the Storm at the ‘4’
Bobby Portis (Milwaukee Bucks)
Contract Situation: $12.6M in 24-25, player option for $13.4M in 25-26
After spending the past four seasons in Milwaukee, it appears that Bobby Portis could be on the move this week with ESPN reporting a few weeks ago that Portis, Khris Middleton and Pat Connaughton are all available in trade talks as the Bucks look to upgrade their roster before the trade deadline.
While Atlanta doesn’t have a whole lot to offer to Milwaukee (and I certainly wouldn’t recommend going overboard in pursuit of Portis), he is the type of player that would be an ideal stopgap to soak up minutes at the ‘4’ while Jalen Johnson recovers from injury. Given how successful his stint in Milwaukee was, I would imagine that Portis is planning to explore his value on the open market this summer, meaning that the Hawks would likely only be committing to his salary for the rest of the 2024-25 season — keeping their books clean for the summer.
From Portis’ perspective, while he would understand that he wouldn’t be in Atlanta long term, if he’s convinced that he can fill the role the Hawks are asking him to, he could parlay a successful three-month stint into a heftier contract from another team this summer.
Portis is an experienced ‘vet’ who would be able to play either the ‘4’ or the ‘5’ in Atlanta. He is a capable outside shooter, having shot 38.3% from three-point range for his career, and is also an above average defensive rebounder for his position. While there are concerns around his defense, there’s little doubt that he would help raise the Hawks’ offensive ceiling this season.
Max. Value to the Hawks: Larry Nance Jr. + Houston Rockets 2028 2nd-round pick (Unprotected) + ATL’s top-40 protected 2030 2nd-round pick
Chris Boucher (Toronto Raptors)
Contract Situation: $10.8M in 24-25, free agent after this season
Chris Boucher is another player who has seen his name pop up in trade rumors around the league, with the 32-year-old big man posting a career-best eFG% this year, and Toronto likely looking to prioritize the development of younger players going forwards.
Boucher has nice touch as a scorer, shooting 74.5% at the rim and 37.5% from three this season, and at 6’10”, has the ability to play both the ‘4’ and the ‘5’ on offense and defense. He is also a high level offensive rebounder, with his on/off offensive rebounding impact ranking in the 90th percentile or better in five out of the seven seasons of his career, per cleaningtheglass.
Boucher will be a free agent this summer, making him a low risk acquisition if he doesn’t pan out, but in the short term, he should help bolster Atlanta’s frontcourt depth and perimeter shooting prowess.
Max. Value to the Hawks: Larry Nance Jr. + Los Angeles Clippers 2027 2nd-round pick (unprotected)
Bucket #3: Value-Add Wings (General)
A quick note on this section, these are a few trade targets that I’d best classify as talent grabs, as they don’t necessarily resolve the issues highlighted in the intro, but are nonetheless good players that might be able to help the team.
Jake Laravia (Memphis Grizzlies)
Contract Situation: $3.4M in 24-25, free agent after this season
Laravia, a 6’8”, 235 pound forward, was a first-round pick out of Wake Forest back in the 2022 draft. After uninspiring rookie and sophomore seasons in Memphis, the Grizzlies decided not to pick up the third-year option on Laravia’s rookie deal, making him an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Now, more than halfway through his third season in the NBA, Laravia has started to deliver on some of the promise that made him the 19th overall selection in his draft class, posting impressive marks in rim field goal percentage (63.7%), three-point percentage (44.3%) and assist percentage (16.6%*) this season.
*Laravia’s assist percentage ranks in the 84th percentile relative to other forwards this season, per cleaningtheglass
Turnovers have been a problem for him as of late, and despite his size, he hasn’t been a convincing rebounder up to this point in this career. However, given his unique status as a former first-round draft choice that is playing well in his third year (Laravia is only 23 years old), yet will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, I would at least pick up the phone to check on his availability.
Max. Value to the Hawks: Garrison Mathews, David Roddy + Houston Rockets 2028 2nd-round pick (Unprotected)
Cody Martin (Charlotte Hornets)
Contract Situation: $8.1M in 24-25, $8.7M ($0 guaranteed) in 25-26
Martin might not be the sexiest trade target in the NBA, however as a proven role player with six seasons of NBA experience to his name, he would be a reliable option to help bolster Atlanta’s forward depth over the second half of the season.
At 6’7”, 205 pounds, Martin isn’t the most physically imposing wing (and likely wouldn’t log too many minutes at the ‘4’), however he is an extremely capable defender, ranking near the top of the league in defensive EPM in each of the past two seasons, while posting impressive steal and block rates throughout his entire NBA career.
While Martin doesn’t bring much to the table as a shooter, he is a solid finisher at the rim, and an intelligent offensive player on the whole.
Martin will turn 30 next season, and considering Charlotte’s status as a “rebuilding” team, there’s a good chance he could be available for a minimal price.
Max. Value to the Hawks: Cody Zeller, David Roddy
Sam Merrill (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Contract Situation: $2.2M in 24-25, free agent after this season
After failing to carve out a role for himself in his first three seasons in the NBA, Sam Merrill has quietly emerged one of the most underrated players in the league over the past two seasons.
A shooter by trade (with an 86.4% three-point attempt rate for his career), Merrill has knocked down 41% of his catch-and-shoot three-point attempts over the last two seasons and can bend defenses with the threat he poses from the perimeter. Merrill is also an underrated playmaker who rarely turns the ball over, averaging 1.7 assists per game while posting an impressive 4.6 assist-to-turnover ratio over the past two seasons.
While Atlanta does employ a similar player in Garrison Mathews, the biggest difference between their games lies on the defensive end of the floor, as Merrill has looked like a far better defensive player over the past two seasons.
Per nba.com’s tracking data, Merrill has allowed just 0.86 points per possession (ppp) when defending in isolation this season relative to 1.11 ppp allowed by Mathews when he defends in isolation situations.
High level high volume, catch-and-shoot three-point shooters who are not liabilities on the defensive end of the floor are immensely valuable in the modern NBA — and Merrill is one of those players.
Obviously the Cavaliers are competing for a title this season, so it’s highly unlikely that they trade one of the best shooters on their team. However given their depth this season, their committed salaries for next season, as well as the fact that Merrill, Caris Levert and Ty Jerome are all set to be unrestricted free agents this summer, I could see a scenario where the Cavaliers front office will be forced to move on from Merrill this summer, forcing them to recoup some value for him at the deadline.
As far as an offer goes, the Cavaliers would have to shed some salary to make it work, but Garrison Mathews plus two second-round picks would be as high as I’d be willing to go to bring Merrill into the fold this season.
Max. Value to the Hawks: Garrison Mathews + Houston Rockets 2028 2nd-round pick (Unprotected) + ATL’s 2030 2nd-round pick (Unprotected)
All statistics/videos used in this article are from cleaningtheglass.com, pbpstats.com, nba.com/stats, bball-index.com, or dunksandthrees.com