Atlanta Hawks Trade Proposal Thread -- Part IV

[CP War Hawks]

Thinking about it more, a Sabonis trade really does make a lot of sense for us. Size, spacing, self creator, playmaker for others, strong rebounding, holds well on the block, mobile enough in the screen and roll game. OO would compliment him well as a 4/5 pairing.

Not really, you'd have to redo the entire frontcourt for Sabonis. A rangy 4 in the mold of KG or Rasheed Wallace to compensate. Athletic sf with good help defense.

Hawks need a long athletic rim protector, someone like Jarrett Allen for the current construct. CC was that player once, before his decline.

I've grown to understand that you're likely not going to find the most optimal fits. So I don't see a need to re-doing the entire front court. JJ provides some weakside help defense.

Yes we would still need a lengthy 5 with the ability to block shots, but that doesn't necessarily need to be in the starting lineup. It's not like we have the opportunity to get Bam, Allen, Mobley, Turner, or JJJ. Lopez could come off the bench maybe, but who's to say he doesn't just go to LA and become the starter.

Thinking about it more, a Sabonis trade really does make a lot of sense for us. Size, spacing, self creator, playmaker for others, strong rebounding, holds well on the block, mobile enough in the screen and roll game. OO would compliment him well as a 4/5 pairing.

We'd still lack paint AND rim protection AND real SIZE!

Paint protection? Sabonis can defend the paint. Rim protection and real size(length i'm assuming) I can understand. Like I mentioned above though, we can afford to not have that in the starting lineup. We just need to have the option available when needed, which we currently don't obviously.

Trying to understand if he couldn't succeed in Indy and Sac as the premier center, how exactly does he do here. Hawks supporting cast isn't much better than either team Sabonis has had and like I'm implying you'll need to transform the frontcourt to get the best out of his fit.

[jayu70]

The news say that we would take the steps needed to sign Westbrook this summer, as he seems destined to be out of the Nuggets.

What/which news??? Real news or random online idea?
Can you provide a link?

[dms269]

Sabonis is a 20+10+7 center at just 6-10 and strong, but not a rim protector or post scoring type of guy when he has to face or back up bigger oponents. He clearly has issues confronting the likes of AD, Gafford, Gobert, Lively, Ware, Jokic, his former team mate Turner and the likes. He is a great player, but I do not think he is what we need. He is not a shooter who can make up for this lack of post scoring ability.

I firmly believe we need to improve our front court depth by adding a relly big guy like Kessler, Markannen, Lively, Gafford, Robinson... but obtaining any of those would take one or two good players of our roster. Are we willing to send OO to Utah for Kessler? JJ and Kessler would be like a solid defensive duo who will lack shooting and JJ and OO is a good offensive duo that lacks size and intimidation, but offers passing, moving without the ball, shooting... so probably finding a 7-3 or 7-4 guy who can play defense and get rebounds and trying to get OO to play some minutes as a PF should be the most logical way, IMO.

Ainge isn't trading Kessler for OO. He wanted Knecht, Lakers 29, and Lakers 31 for him.

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[Geaux_Hawks]

Not really, you'd have to redo the entire frontcourt for Sabonis. A rangy 4 in the mold of KG or Rasheed Wallace to compensate. Athletic sf with good help defense.

Hawks need a long athletic rim protector, someone like Jarrett Allen for the current construct. CC was that player once, before his decline.

I've grown to understand that you're likely not going to find the most optimal fits. So I don't see a need to re-doing the entire front court. JJ provides some weakside help defense.

Yes we would still need a lengthy 5 with the ability to block shots, but that doesn't necessarily need to be in the starting lineup. It's not like we have the opportunity to get Bam, Allen, Mobley, Turner, or JJJ. Lopez could come off the bench maybe, but who's to say he doesn't just go to LA and become the starter.

We'd still lack paint AND rim protection AND real SIZE!

Paint protection? Sabonis can defend the paint. Rim protection and real size(length i'm assuming) I can understand. Like I mentioned above though, we can afford to not have that in the starting lineup. We just need to have the option available when needed, which we currently don't obviously.

Trying to understand if he couldn't succeed in Indy and Sac as the premier center, how exactly does he do here. Hawks supporting cast isn't much better than either team Sabonis has had and like I'm implying you'll need to transform the frontcourt to get the best out of his fit.

Succeed in what way?! Go to the Finals? In Indy, him and Turner were young, and not really established yet. Plus Oladipo stayed hurt by the time Sabonis and Turner were coming into form. They still managed to win 46 and 48 games before being shipped to Sacramento. The Kings won 46+ games in back to back years after Sabonis arrived, and their supporting cast was below average outside of him and Fox... So like what's the bar for success given the actual talent level, and also what did Indy/Sacramento have that makes either supporting cast just as good as what we have currently?

[Rebound Mound]

The news say that we would take the steps needed to sign Westbrook this summer, as he seems destined to be out of the Nuggets.

What/which news??? Real news or random online idea?
Can you provide a link?

I read it in a Spanish website that usually reports good information.
It is now on some other sites:

https://bvmsports.com/2025/04/18/hawks-predicted-to-land-former-206-million-thunder-mvp-to-mentor-trae-young/

[jayu70]

The news say that we would take the steps needed to sign Westbrook this summer, as he seems destined to be out of the Nuggets.

What/which news??? Real news or random online idea?
Can you provide a link?

I read it in a Spanish website that usually reports good information.
It is now on some other sites:

https://bvmsports.com/2025/04/18/hawks-predicted-to-land-former-206-million-thunder-mvp-to-mentor-trae-young/

Color me skeptical

[Jamaaliver]

[Jamaaliver]

Hawks Twitter seems on board with pursuing a disgruntled Giannis to pair with Trae Young.

How much are you guys willing to pay for him?
Jalen + Kobe?
Jalen + Okongwu?
Jalen + Okongwu + Risacher?

[jayu70]

Hawks Twitter seems on board with pursuing a disgruntled Giannis to pair with Trae Young.

How much are you guys willing to pay for him?
Jalen + Kobe?
Jalen + Okongwu?
Jalen + Okongwu + Risacher?

Jalen, Kobe, (and salary filler) plus, whatever picks needed.
I could be talked into including Okongwu.

[Jamaaliver]

Hawks Twitter seems on board with pursuing a disgruntled Giannis to pair with Trae Young.

How much are you guys willing to pay for him?

Jalen, Kobe, (and salary filler) plus, whatever picks needed.

• Jalen Johnson
• Kobe Bufkin
• Terance Mann
• George Niang
• Kings 2025 1st Rounder
• Lakers 2025 1st Rounder
• Hawks 2030 1st Rounder (top-3 protected)

[Jamaaliver]

Thoughts?

Hawks Get Back Something In Return For A Nearly Guaranteed Departure



The sign-and-trade angle is smart cap management by Rob Pelinka. The Lakers can’t just sign Capela outright, but turning a package of Jarred Vanderbilt (a solid defensive piece who’s struggled to stay healthy this season) and Maxi Kleber (a capable stretch big buried on the bench most of 2024–25) into a high-level starting center is tremendous value.

With Trae Young’s name in trade rumors and everyone not named Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels potentially on the block, Capela is an obvious candidate to be moved. Rather than let him walk in free agency for nothing, pulling off a sign-and-trade gets them some value and flexibility.

Jarred Vanderbilt, if healthy, is an intriguing fit with Quin Snyder’s defensive philosophy. His ability to guard multiple positions and play with energy could give the Hawks a versatile bench or rotation option, especially alongside younger wings like Jalen Johnson.

Vanderbilt only appeared in 36 games this season due to a foot injury, but when active, he’s a chaos-inducing defender who could thrive in a smaller role. Maxi Kleber brings shooting and spacing as a stretch five, a low-cost veteran who can help in spots while mentoring the younger bigs on the roster.

The biggest win for Atlanta here is flexibility. Capela’s $20M+ salary coming off the books is big, but acquiring two frontcourt pieces on manageable deals and a future pick keeps the door open to other trades or retooling efforts. A positive is always better than nothing, so the Hawks gain something in this deal.

Fadeaway World

[dms269]

Thoughts?

Hawks Get Back Something In Return For A Nearly Guaranteed Departure



The sign-and-trade angle is smart cap management by Rob Pelinka. The Lakers can’t just sign Capela outright, but turning a package of Jarred Vanderbilt (a solid defensive piece who’s struggled to stay healthy this season) and Maxi Kleber (a capable stretch big buried on the bench most of 2024–25) into a high-level starting center is tremendous value.

With Trae Young’s name in trade rumors and everyone not named Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels potentially on the block, Capela is an obvious candidate to be moved. Rather than let him walk in free agency for nothing, pulling off a sign-and-trade gets them some value and flexibility.

Jarred Vanderbilt, if healthy, is an intriguing fit with Quin Snyder’s defensive philosophy. His ability to guard multiple positions and play with energy could give the Hawks a versatile bench or rotation option, especially alongside younger wings like Jalen Johnson.

Vanderbilt only appeared in 36 games this season due to a foot injury, but when active, he’s a chaos-inducing defender who could thrive in a smaller role. Maxi Kleber brings shooting and spacing as a stretch five, a low-cost veteran who can help in spots while mentoring the younger bigs on the roster.

The biggest win for Atlanta here is flexibility. Capela’s $20M+ salary coming off the books is big, but acquiring two frontcourt pieces on manageable deals and a future pick keeps the door open to other trades or retooling efforts. A positive is always better than nothing, so the Hawks gain something in this deal.

Fadeaway World

Would the Lakers really be willing to give up Vanderbilt for Capela though?

[Jamaaliver]

Would the Lakers really be willing to give up Vanderbilt for Capela though?

I honestly don't know much about Vanderbilt.
Is he considered untouchable or a long term piece for the future?
He's not particularly efficient or productive.

[dms269]

Would the Lakers really be willing to give up Vanderbilt for Capela though?

I honestly don't know much about Vanderbilt.
Is he considered untouchable or a long term piece for the future?
He's not particularly efficient or productive.

Probably not a long-term piece but I gather they love his defensive abilities.

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[Rebound Mound]

Vanderbilt would be like a nice addition as he can provide defense and playing in the SF spot he can add a lot of depth with JJ and Risacher. The bad thing could be that the French man develops into him, who is limited offensively.

My primary options would be to find a strong PF and big C who can help inside. Vanderbilt could be obtainable for CC, I guess. But CC is long gone as a 35 mpg guy who can catch balls from Doncic or LBJ.

[Jamaaliver]

Even after a sub-par playoff showing, it'd take at least Terance Mann and the Lakers 1rp for this, right?

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

[HMFFL]

Even after a sub-par playoff showing, it'd take at least Terance Mann and the Lakers 1rp for this, right?

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

I would assume more.

Why would the Lakers want to pay Terance Mann for three more years at $16m per year.

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[Jamaaliver]

I'd strongly consider buying low on Lauri this summer...

These NBA Stars Now Have Negative Trade Value

Lauri Markkanen, F, Utah Jazz



2025-26 salary: $46.4 million
Age at start of season: 28
Total remaining contract: $195.6 million over four years

Markkanen peaked in 2022-23 when he averaged a career-high 25.6 points per game en route to his first All-Star nod and the NBA's Most Improved Player award. He led the Jazz to a much better season than expected that year, but they have since abandoned competing at the highest level. Instead, they're focusing more on adding and developing young talent.

Given his age, Markkanen doesn't make sense for whatever the Jazz become next. Perhaps landing Duke's Cooper Flagg in this year's draft lottery would make it easier for Utah to let go of its star player.

However, Markkanen averaged only 19 points per game this past season, while his three-point shooting fell from 39.9 percent last year to 34.6 percent this year. He's only turning 28 in May, but his contract takes him over the age bridge that frightens teams. If he's slowing down at 28, what will he be at 32? (That may sound crazy, but it's how some teams think.)

One Eastern Conference executive even called Markkanen's contract the worst in the league. That's probably hyperbolic, but that's how several teams feel.

Should they decide to move on from Markkanen, the Jazz have plenty of other franchises to negotiate with. Markkanen may have enough of a market to get a deal done, but the size of his contract is larger than it should be.

Bleacher Report

[Geaux_Hawks]

I'd strongly consider buying low on Lauri this summer...

These NBA Stars Now Have Negative Trade Value

Lauri Markkanen, F, Utah Jazz



2025-26 salary: $46.4 million
Age at start of season: 28
Total remaining contract: $195.6 million over four years

Markkanen peaked in 2022-23 when he averaged a career-high 25.6 points per game en route to his first All-Star nod and the NBA's Most Improved Player award. He led the Jazz to a much better season than expected that year, but they have since abandoned competing at the highest level. Instead, they're focusing more on adding and developing young talent.

Given his age, Markkanen doesn't make sense for whatever the Jazz become next. Perhaps landing Duke's Cooper Flagg in this year's draft lottery would make it easier for Utah to let go of its star player.

However, Markkanen averaged only 19 points per game this past season, while his three-point shooting fell from 39.9 percent last year to 34.6 percent this year. He's only turning 28 in May, but his contract takes him over the age bridge that frightens teams. If he's slowing down at 28, what will he be at 32? (That may sound crazy, but it's how some teams think.)

One Eastern Conference executive even called Markkanen's contract the worst in the league. That's probably hyperbolic, but that's how several teams feel.

Should they decide to move on from Markkanen, the Jazz have plenty of other franchises to negotiate with. Markkanen may have enough of a market to get a deal done, but the size of his contract is larger than it should be.

Bleacher Report

At this juncture, the contract is just too big for us. 10 mill AAV cheaper, and I wouldn't be opposed.

[Jamaaliver]

At this juncture, the contract is just too big for us. 10 mill AAV cheaper, and I wouldn't be opposed.

1. I understand the concern.

2. I suspect the Lauri bounce back season will be glorious and he'll still get moved at some point.

3. I know small market teams often have to pay extra to retain top talent.
Amidst a rising salary cap -- the relative cap hit actually gets smaller every season, mitigating much of the downside.