Atlanta Hawks Official Trade Ideas Thread Part 3

[Jamaaliver]

Hawks receive: Zach LaVine

Bulls receive: Kevin Huerter, Onyeka Okongwu

Pacers receive: Danilo Gallinari, 2023 first-round pick via Hawks (lottery protected)

Projected Starting Lineup: Trae Young, Zach LaVine, De’Andre Hunter, John Collins, Clint Capela

Watch on YouTube

Could you imagine the fireworks on the scoreboard with Trae Young and LaVine sharing a backcourt? That’s more than worth the price of admission for Hawks games, and it helps elevate their core to being a legitimate contender immediately. LaVine and Young being flanked by endless amounts of defensive versatility and length is a recipe for success.

What makes the Hawks’ sign-and-trade more realistic is Gallinari’s contract, which only has $5 million guaranteed. Atlanta would surely cooperate for draft compensation in order to bring LaVine aboard.

Chicago receives a promising three-level scorer in Huerter, plus a much-needed rim protector with Okongwu. This feels like a strong return for the Bulls under this scenario.

For Atlanta to make this work, a third team has to get involved that can absorb Gallinari's $21 million salary. Luckily, again, only $5 million is guaranteed, so the third team can easily get off his contract. The Pacers are mentioned here because I expect them to operate in a Thunder-like manner this offseason, as they really kick off their full-scale rebuild. Expect to see Indiana take on contracts for future draft capital, which would help project the rebuild timeline more clearly.

basketballnews.com

[Jamaaliver]

Top Landing Spots for Donovan Mitchell

Atlanta Goes All in on Offense



The Trade: John Collins, De'Andre Hunter, a 2022 first-round pick and a 2024 first-round pick for Donovan Mitchell

New York and Miami will probably headline this discussion until a trade actually happens, but some noise is starting to come from another Southeast Division team.

"Almost every team in the league would show trade interest in Mitchell if he was to request a trade out of Utah," Brett Siegel wrote for Sports Illustrated. "But the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks are two other teams besides the Knicks that Mitchell would have interest in, sources familiar with the Jazz guard noted."

Rudy Gobert going to Atlanta has been a more common topic of discussion, but the idea of a duo of Mitchell and Trae Young could be nightmare-inducing (for both the Hawks and their opponents).

Few, if any, backcourts would be worse on defense, but there may be enough firepower there to overcome that. Young and Mitchell were second and 11th, respectively, in 30-point performances this season.

Losing Hunter and Collins as part of the deal would mean plenty of other tweaks to the roster would be needed, but having those two stars in place would entice talent from all over the league.

For the Jazz, this move would certainly signal a philosophical shift. Barring a subsequent trade of Gobert, it'd give Utah one of the game's best and most vertically explosive frontcourts. A defense with Gobert, Hunter and Royce O'Neale would have top-five potential too.

Bleacher Report

[jayu70]

Would you guys do

Huerter + 16
for
Gary Trent Jr + 33

I think Gary has more upside (I think he can become a 2nd/3rd option) and he is a better defender than Huerter as well.

This isn't a bad trade, it just doesn't do much for us. You'd likely need to add a future 2nd rounder (or two) to balance it out.

But, all it does is take us from being a 43 win team that loses in the first round of the playoffs to a 45 win team that loses in the first round of the playoffs.

Seems like it really just helps Toronto move up in the draft.

Agreed. The delta between Trent and Huerter isn't pick 16 while the Hawks drop 17 spots.

[King Ken]

Would you guys do

Huerter + 16
for
Gary Trent Jr + 33

I think Gary has more upside (I think he can become a 2nd/3rd option) and he is a better defender than Huerter as well.

GTJ is better. That said, he gets paid more and he's definitely not 16 to 20 better much less 16 to 33. This is a very easy no.

Kevin is making 14.5 million next year. I kinda see the a GTJ for KS deal to be an even swap based on the contract and the overall value. But that draft pick difference is massive.

[saloonyk8]

Top Landing Spots for Donovan Mitchell

Atlanta Goes All in on Offense



The Trade: John Collins, De'Andre Hunter, a 2022 first-round pick and a 2024 first-round pick for Donovan Mitchell

New York and Miami will probably headline this discussion until a trade actually happens, but some noise is starting to come from another Southeast Division team.

"Almost every team in the league would show trade interest in Mitchell if he was to request a trade out of Utah," Brett Siegel wrote for Sports Illustrated. "But the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks are two other teams besides the Knicks that Mitchell would have interest in, sources familiar with the Jazz guard noted."

Rudy Gobert going to Atlanta has been a more common topic of discussion, but the idea of a duo of Mitchell and Trae Young could be nightmare-inducing (for both the Hawks and their opponents).

Few, if any, backcourts would be worse on defense, but there may be enough firepower there to overcome that. Young and Mitchell were second and 11th, respectively, in 30-point performances this season.

Losing Hunter and Collins as part of the deal would mean plenty of other tweaks to the roster would be needed, but having those two stars in place would entice talent from all over the league.

For the Jazz, this move would certainly signal a philosophical shift. Barring a subsequent trade of Gobert, it'd give Utah one of the game's best and most vertically explosive frontcourts. A defense with Gobert, Hunter and Royce O'Neale would have top-five potential too.

Bleacher Report

I could be talked into this deal. I'm reluctant to trade Hunter though because I hope he can be a good wing defender. if we can keep Hunter and OO it's a good deal

[saloonyk8]

Hawks receive: Zach LaVine

Bulls receive: Kevin Huerter, Onyeka Okongwu

Pacers receive: Danilo Gallinari, 2023 first-round pick via Hawks (lottery protected)

Projected Starting Lineup: Trae Young, Zach LaVine, De’Andre Hunter, John Collins, Clint Capela

Watch on YouTube

Could you imagine the fireworks on the scoreboard with Trae Young and LaVine sharing a backcourt? That’s more than worth the price of admission for Hawks games, and it helps elevate their core to being a legitimate contender immediately. LaVine and Young being flanked by endless amounts of defensive versatility and length is a recipe for success.

What makes the Hawks’ sign-and-trade more realistic is Gallinari’s contract, which only has $5 million guaranteed. Atlanta would surely cooperate for draft compensation in order to bring LaVine aboard.

Chicago receives a promising three-level scorer in Huerter, plus a much-needed rim protector with Okongwu. This feels like a strong return for the Bulls under this scenario.

For Atlanta to make this work, a third team has to get involved that can absorb Gallinari's $21 million salary. Luckily, again, only $5 million is guaranteed, so the third team can easily get off his contract. The Pacers are mentioned here because I expect them to operate in a Thunder-like manner this offseason, as they really kick off their full-scale rebuild. Expect to see Indiana take on contracts for future draft capital, which would help project the rebuild timeline more clearly.

basketballnews.com

No way hawks give up a young asset like OO for UFA Lavine. If Lavine chooses the Hawks we can send whatever we want in return and they'll take it instead of him signing in San Antonio for nothing. Remember what the Sixers got for Jimmy Butler? Miami had no cap space.

In this scenario we'd also have to pickup Gallo option a month in advance knowing we want to use him to trade... Hard to see this happening

[HMFFL]

I'm ready for Jason Collins to be traded. The rumors year after year are getting tiring and he needs to be treated properly. By properly I mean give him more field goal attempts. Anybody that takes his place can expect to not receive enough touches too.

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[saloonyk8]

I just want to point this out .... If we trade for Jerami Grant and give up picks and/or Bogi/Kevin.... We are intending to resign him for about$27-28M per year....

Who is more valuable Ayton at $30 or Grant at $28....I think I much rather have Ayton then Grant

[Years90Suns]

A great starting five would be

Trae
Lavine
Hunter
Grant
Collins
---------
and then:

Bledsoe
Bogdanovic
Knox
Capela

[HMFFL]

I just want to point this out .... If we trade for Jerami Grant and give up picks and/or Bogi/Kevin.... We are intending to resign him for about$27-28M per year....

Who is more valuable Ayton at $30 or Grant at $28....I think I much rather have Ayton then Grant

Ayton if he's used properly. Phoenix used Ayton like we use our frontcourt.

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[HMFFL]

A great starting five would be

Trae
Lavine
Hunter
Grant
Collins
---------
and then:

Bledsoe
Bogdanovic
Knox
Capela

Our starters would get smoked on the boards and the backcourt would only add more pressure on defense for our frontcourt. It's a fail.

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[D21]

I just want to point this out .... If we trade for Jerami Grant and give up picks and/or Bogi/Kevin.... We are intending to resign him for about$27-28M per year....

Who is more valuable Ayton at $30 or Grant at $28....I think I much rather have Ayton then Grant

Can you, or other supporting trading for them, describe how these guys would make this team better?
Because even all the websites proposing these trades cannot, they are just talking for the sake of it, and often didn't even mention that John and Clint were injured during the first, I even start to think they didn't know it

I'm searching if there are any numbers that could make me think that what I think after watching them play is wrong, but I can't find one. Here's the last numbers I've checked:

I was searching if some stats could confirm why I found stupid to trade for Ayton, Grant or LaVine for example, all guys that want at least 28M/season, and ESPN RealPlusMinus interesting
I dont want any of these guys, and if Clint has to be moved, I would prefer to get Turner at 18M (even if it would be more later) than Ayton at , even if we loose a bit compared to Capela on defense, it would open more shots for the 4 other guys and gives more options with him and Okongwu

Among centers
Capela was 4th at 3.35 in 2020-21, and 6th at 5.38 this season
Turner was 10th at 1.40 in 2020-21, and 15th at 3.61 this season
Ayton was 11th at 1.38 in 2020-21, and 21th at 2.94 this season

Among small forwards
Hunter was 21th at 0.92 in 2020-21, and 41th at -1.71 this season
Grant was 14th at 1.35 in 2020-21, and 18th at 1.79 this season (Saddiq Bey was 10th at 3.14)

Among shooting guards
Bogdanovic was 11th at 2.30 in 2020-21, and 19th at 1.64 this season (not blaming management as much as for Hunter, but think I came back sooner than I would have allowed him)
LaVine was 9th at 2.47 in 2020-21, and 12th at 2.98 this season

It matches a bit what I thought at first about:
-trading for Ayton (would not make this team better, only have less money), and that if Capela is moved, better replacing him by (not necessary in the same trade) Turner to allow a full 5 guys shooting 3s on the floor
- Grant was only a bit better than Hunter one year ago, but there was a problem this year, which is more important IMO than changing our C. I partly blame management for bringing him back at least two times sooner than he should have
- Bogdanovic had almost the same RPM than LaVine in 2020-21, and even if it was lower this season, I don't think at all that LaVine could justify being paid twice what Bogi is earning

And important, it would not be paying more for LaVine, Ayton or Grant, it would be also sending some players and loosing depth (for example, among shooting guards, we have Huerter 27th at 0.81 in 2020-21 and 25th at 0.91 this season, while CHI had no other player than LaVine in the top40)

BONUS: among point guards
Trae was 14th at 2.22 in 2020-21, and 2nd at 2nd at 6.95 this season

Simmons was 7th at 3.67 in 2020-21, which matches why I would like to see him used as a swiss-knife here depending on matchups, but only if paired with a trade for Turner to allow playing him with 4 other guys shooting 3s

It's only one stat, but at least not some offensive individual stat that say nothing without defense, but it gives a bit more now that this team would be better with Simmons and Turner for 51M next season (maybe 5M more the following season) than with Ayton + LaVine at around 65M next season, or Ayton + Grant for 53M next season then more than 60M (if Grant really wants 28M/season)

[saloonyk8]

Of note, Stein reports Pacers planning to keep Turner...makes sense they got rid of Sabonis. They'll probably try to extend him this off-season

[saloonyk8]

I just want to point this out .... If we trade for Jerami Grant and give up picks and/or Bogi/Kevin.... We are intending to resign him for about$27-28M per year....

Who is more valuable Ayton at $30 or Grant at $28....I think I much rather have Ayton then Grant

Can you, or other supporting trading for them, describe how these guys would make this team better?
Because even all the websites proposing these trades cannot, they are just talking for the sake of it, and often didn't even mention that John and Clint were injured during the first, I even start to think they didn't know it

I'm searching if there are any numbers that could make me think that what I think after watching them play is wrong, but I can't find one. Here's the last numbers I've checked:

I was searching if some stats could confirm why I found stupid to trade for Ayton, Grant or LaVine for example, all guys that want at least 28M/season, and ESPN RealPlusMinus interesting
I dont want any of these guys, and if Clint has to be moved, I would prefer to get Turner at 18M (even if it would be more later) than Ayton at , even if we loose a bit compared to Capela on defense, it would open more shots for the 4 other guys and gives more options with him and Okongwu

Among centers
Capela was 4th at 3.35 in 2020-21, and 6th at 5.38 this season
Turner was 10th at 1.40 in 2020-21, and 15th at 3.61 this season
Ayton was 11th at 1.38 in 2020-21, and 21th at 2.94 this season

Among small forwards
Hunter was 21th at 0.92 in 2020-21, and 41th at -1.71 this season
Grant was 14th at 1.35 in 2020-21, and 18th at 1.79 this season (Saddiq Bey was 10th at 3.14)

Among shooting guards
Bogdanovic was 11th at 2.30 in 2020-21, and 19th at 1.64 this season (not blaming management as much as for Hunter, but think I came back sooner than I would have allowed him)
LaVine was 9th at 2.47 in 2020-21, and 12th at 2.98 this season

It matches a bit what I thought at first about:
-trading for Ayton (would not make this team better, only have less money), and that if Capela is moved, better replacing him by (not necessary in the same trade) Turner to allow a full 5 guys shooting 3s on the floor
- Grant was only a bit better than Hunter one year ago, but there was a problem this year, which is more important IMO than changing our C. I partly blame management for bringing him back at least two times sooner than he should have
- Bogdanovic had almost the same RPM than LaVine in 2020-21, and even if it was lower this season, I don't think at all that LaVine could justify being paid twice what Bogi is earning

And important, it would not be paying more for LaVine, Ayton or Grant, it would be also sending some players and loosing depth (for example, among shooting guards, we have Huerter 27th at 0.81 in 2020-21 and 25th at 0.91 this season, while CHI had no other player than LaVine in the top40)

BONUS: among point guards
Trae was 14th at 2.22 in 2020-21, and 2nd at 2nd at 6.95 this season

Simmons was 7th at 3.67 in 2020-21, which matches why I would like to see him used as a swiss-knife here depending on matchups, but only if paired with a trade for Turner to allow playing him with 4 other guys shooting 3s

It's only one stat, but at least not some offensive individual stat that say nothing without defense, but it gives a bit more now that this team would be better with Simmons and Turner for 51M next season (maybe 5M more the following season) than with Ayton + LaVine at around 65M next season, or Ayton + Grant for 53M next season then more than 60M (if Grant really wants 28M/season)

Good post. I have a few thoughts.

1. Hawks have very good players.
2. IMO need great players to consistently contend (think top 2 in conference finals etc)
3. I think if Hawks were totally healthy we still lose to the Heat and Celtics
4. We need a top 10 offense AND defense to contend
5. We don't have the personnel for a top 10 defense
6. Capela is good but he has some huge limitations for the future of the team - perimeter defense, ability to hit 3s...it's possible OO could fix both of those issues.
7. Ayton can shoot from outside, he can be given the ball in the post and be asked to get a bucket. I think he's also athletic enough to cover on the perimeter. He COULD be a top 30 NBA player. We currently don't have another top 30 player on the roster. JC cannot 'get you a bucket' and isn't going to be elite defensive player.
8. We need a true #2 on offense. I don't think we have this on the roster.
9. We need a defensive wing or big who can captain a top 10 defense. I don't think we have this on the roster.
10. Ayton solves one problem...a big who can be valuable in the post to 'get a bucket', hit from outside, and defend outside, and he's super young...very tradeable in 1-2 years.
11. Lavine solves one problem but is atrocious defensively.

My perfect running mates for Trae would be SGA or Jaylen Brown. Those guys aren't getting traded. I would also like to see Ben Simmons captain the defense. I don't think he's available either. I'd also love Zion as the number 2 on offense, but I don't think he's avilable.

So given what is available, I think Ayton checks some of those boxes....he's not a perfect fit or supremely better than Capela but he is BETTER and has the youth and skills to improve to be a top 30 player. If we don't have to trade Hunter/OO...I would jump on that opportunity.

[HMFFL]

Of note, Stein reports Pacers planning to keep Turner...makes sense they got rid of Sabonis. They'll probably try to extend him this off-season

I hoped he would be moved to a system that uses their big men properly. He not only defends, he has range, and he's underused.

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[Ball4life32]

I just want to point this out .... If we trade for Jerami Grant and give up picks and/or Bogi/Kevin.... We are intending to resign him for about$27-28M per year....

Who is more valuable Ayton at $30 or Grant at $28....I think I much rather have Ayton then Grant

Can you, or other supporting trading for them, describe how these guys would make this team better?
Because even all the websites proposing these trades cannot, they are just talking for the sake of it, and often didn't even mention that John and Clint were injured during the first, I even start to think they didn't know it

I'm searching if there are any numbers that could make me think that what I think after watching them play is wrong, but I can't find one. Here's the last numbers I've checked:

I was searching if some stats could confirm why I found stupid to trade for Ayton, Grant or LaVine for example, all guys that want at least 28M/season, and ESPN RealPlusMinus interesting
I dont want any of these guys, and if Clint has to be moved, I would prefer to get Turner at 18M (even if it would be more later) than Ayton at , even if we loose a bit compared to Capela on defense, it would open more shots for the 4 other guys and gives more options with him and Okongwu

Among centers
Capela was 4th at 3.35 in 2020-21, and 6th at 5.38 this season
Turner was 10th at 1.40 in 2020-21, and 15th at 3.61 this season
Ayton was 11th at 1.38 in 2020-21, and 21th at 2.94 this season

Among small forwards
Hunter was 21th at 0.92 in 2020-21, and 41th at -1.71 this season
Grant was 14th at 1.35 in 2020-21, and 18th at 1.79 this season (Saddiq Bey was 10th at 3.14)

Among shooting guards
Bogdanovic was 11th at 2.30 in 2020-21, and 19th at 1.64 this season (not blaming management as much as for Hunter, but think I came back sooner than I would have allowed him)
LaVine was 9th at 2.47 in 2020-21, and 12th at 2.98 this season

It matches a bit what I thought at first about:
-trading for Ayton (would not make this team better, only have less money), and that if Capela is moved, better replacing him by (not necessary in the same trade) Turner to allow a full 5 guys shooting 3s on the floor
- Grant was only a bit better than Hunter one year ago, but there was a problem this year, which is more important IMO than changing our C. I partly blame management for bringing him back at least two times sooner than he should have
- Bogdanovic had almost the same RPM than LaVine in 2020-21, and even if it was lower this season, I don't think at all that LaVine could justify being paid twice what Bogi is earning

And important, it would not be paying more for LaVine, Ayton or Grant, it would be also sending some players and loosing depth (for example, among shooting guards, we have Huerter 27th at 0.81 in 2020-21 and 25th at 0.91 this season, while CHI had no other player than LaVine in the top40)

BONUS: among point guards
Trae was 14th at 2.22 in 2020-21, and 2nd at 2nd at 6.95 this season

Simmons was 7th at 3.67 in 2020-21, which matches why I would like to see him used as a swiss-knife here depending on matchups, but only if paired with a trade for Turner to allow playing him with 4 other guys shooting 3s

It's only one stat, but at least not some offensive individual stat that say nothing without defense, but it gives a bit more now that this team would be better with Simmons and Turner for 51M next season (maybe 5M more the following season) than with Ayton + LaVine at around 65M next season, or Ayton + Grant for 53M next season then more than 60M (if Grant really wants 28M/season)

Good post. I have a few thoughts.

1. Hawks have very good players.
2. IMO need great players to consistently contend (think top 2 in conference finals etc)
3. I think if Hawks were totally healthy we still lose to the Heat and Celtics
4. We need a top 10 offense AND defense to contend
5. We don't have the personnel for a top 10 defense
6. Capela is good but he has some huge limitations for the future of the team - perimeter defense, ability to hit 3s...it's possible OO could fix both of those issues.
7. Ayton can shoot from outside, he can be given the ball in the post and be asked to get a bucket. I think he's also athletic enough to cover on the perimeter. He COULD be a top 30 NBA player. We currently don't have another top 30 player on the roster. JC cannot 'get you a bucket' and isn't going to be elite defensive player.
8. We need a true #2 on offense. I don't think we have this on the roster.
9. We need a defensive wing or big who can captain a top 10 defense. I don't think we have this on the roster.
10. Ayton solves one problem...a big who can be valuable in the post to 'get a bucket', hit from outside, and defend outside, and he's super young...very tradeable in 1-2 years.
11. Lavine solves one problem but is atrocious defensively.

My perfect running mates for Trae would be SGA or Jaylen Brown. Those guys aren't getting traded. I would also like to see Ben Simmons captain the defense. I don't think he's available either. I'd also love Zion as the number 2 on offense, but I don't think he's avilable.

So given what is available, I think Ayton checks some of those boxes....he's not a perfect fit or supremely better than Capela but he is BETTER and has the youth and skills to improve to be a top 30 player. If we don't have to trade Hunter/OO...I would jump on that opportunity.

I like Ayton a lot and he’s one of the few guys I actually want (at a certain price) but how can he get you a basket but JC can’t? JC peak he’s been 20+ ppg while Ayton highest is 18.4 ppg. I don’t see Ayton as a regular 2nd option when he’s never been a high usage guy…. I think him and JC are actually similar where they can give you 17-18+ ppg each on elite efficiency and less than 13-14 shots a game. I like that pairing a lot potentially if Ayton keeps extending his range.

[D21]

Good post. I have a few thoughts.

1. Hawks have very good players.
2. IMO need great players to consistently contend (think top 2 in conference finals etc)
3. I think if Hawks were totally healthy we still lose to the Heat and Celtics
4. We need a top 10 offense AND defense to contend
5. We don't have the personnel for a top 10 defense
6. Capela is good but he has some huge limitations for the future of the team - perimeter defense, ability to hit 3s...it's possible OO could fix both of those issues.
7. Ayton can shoot from outside, he can be given the ball in the post and be asked to get a bucket. I think he's also athletic enough to cover on the perimeter. He COULD be a top 30 NBA player. We currently don't have another top 30 player on the roster. JC cannot 'get you a bucket' and isn't going to be elite defensive player.
8. We need a true #2 on offense. I don't think we have this on the roster.
9. We need a defensive wing or big who can captain a top 10 defense. I don't think we have this on the roster.
10. Ayton solves one problem...a big who can be valuable in the post to 'get a bucket', hit from outside, and defend outside, and he's super young...very tradeable in 1-2 years.
11. Lavine solves one problem but is atrocious defensively.

My perfect running mates for Trae would be SGA or Jaylen Brown. Those guys aren't getting traded. I would also like to see Ben Simmons captain the defense. I don't think he's available either. I'd also love Zion as the number 2 on offense, but I don't think he's avilable.

So given what is available, I think Ayton checks some of those boxes....he's not a perfect fit or supremely better than Capela but he is BETTER and has the youth and skills to improve to be a top 30 player. If we don't have to trade Hunter/OO...I would jump on that opportunity.

I agree on 1 and 2 as they still need to improve
But after that, here's my POV:

3. Vs BOS, I agree, Vs MIA if healthy, I'm really not sure they would have lost, I would say 4-3 for any team, but to beat them next year, better improve.
Which hurts is that MIA is having a better coach than ATL, more than anything else, and BOS too
And McMillan was stupid enough to play Capela and John injured while they were at their best in this series playing faster with Delon, Trae, Huerter, Bogi and Okongwu. Instead of turning their injuries into something positive like giving more responsibilities and experience to young guys, he just made the opposite.

4. The main difference is defense: at the end of regular season, in Def Net rating and Off Net rating,
BOS were Top10 in both (9th offense and 1st in defense)
GSW were Top10 in defense (2nd) but not Top10 in offense (16th)
In Overall Net rating, BOS were 2nd and GSW were 4th
ATL were 26th in defense, but were 2nd on offense, and 14th in Overall Net rating (18th, 9th and 11th in 2020-21).
We need to really improving defense, and a lot as it seems to matter more than offense, so why a lot of fans are wanting us to trade for scoring guys or guys good on offense but not good on defense? Why?

5. Agree, and it's a priority. Scoring is not, so can we stop with these LaVine or Mitchell stupid trades?

6. Yes, but they are still dominating at C per 82games.com, even if less than in 2020-21
It's also why if Okongwu is the C of the future, I'm ready to loose Capela, but to replace him with a guy like Turner who really can shoot 3s (now, IND seems to want to keep him)

7. Ayton is better than Capela on offense, for sure, but not on defense. We don't know if he really can shoot 3s at higher volume. Ayton attempted only 17 3pts shots this season, and was not guarded. It's just that opponents let him take these 17 shots, and he's super slow to do it compared to Turner.

8. We need a true #2 on offense, but it doesn't have to come from a new player, it can really be Hunter for example if he work on it this summer and McMillan let him play like the last game Vs MIA
Why would we need an new "true" #2 on offense while we have the 2nd best offense of the league?

9. Agree, and Simmons fits better for that than any wing in the rumors and wanted by the fans at this moment

10. At Max, he may not be super tradeable, and as he seems to be money focused, I'm afraid that offering him the Max, you will look at a player more involved at getting an All-NBA than making his team win next season

11. Lavine solve no problem at all, he may push us from 2nd offense to 1st offense, but won't improve the defense, it may even be worse.

Who had the best Def Net rating of MIA in the playoffs? Vincent and Struss, being also 1st and 3rd overall with Butler 2nd
We need a better defense from our wings.
At PG, Delon is good on defense but we need a stopper at SG and a bit at SF. That's why Simmons makes sense, he can cover both.
If Hunter feels himself fully healthy for months and is ready to play better defense again, it's mainly on SG that we need it.
If so, and if the cost for Simmons is too high, we need more guys like Gary Payton II, Dort or even Batum than a top scorer SG

[saloonyk8]

Good discussion. I was thinking here's the best potential targets in terms of defense that MIGHT be available. I've ranked them in terms of best fit.

I also feel it's very fair to give up some offense like JC, Bogi, etc if we can move the needle from 26th on D to top 10. We can afford to go from 2nd offense to 10th.

Lu Dort
Would trade JC, Bogi, or Huerter. Would require a big extension but I would do it cause he's such a valuable defender and would be a great long term pairing with Trae.

Ben Simmons
Would trade JC plus a pick or two

Brogdon
Gallo, Charlotte pick, this year's first

Alex Caruso
Huerter or Bogi

I think Simmons and Brogdon could help in the secondary ball handler division and help Trae learn to be off the ball. I could see Brogdon bring like Van Fleet.

I'm really not a fan of J Grant at 28M. He's a better defender than JC but that's about it to me and will be on worse contract

[saloonyk8]

I forgot about Gobert lol. Personally I think his price will be too high. I'm sure will cost either OO or Hunter and he has a big contract. But if ownership got money bags falling out their pockets....
Gallo, Capella, Charlotte pick, JJ.

He would be a great defensive QB and really make us top 10 immediately. We would still need to trade for one of the other guys in the previous list IMO

[D21]

I forgot about Gobert lol. Personally I think his price will be too high. I'm sure will cost either OO or Hunter and he has a big contract. But if ownership got money bags falling out their pockets....
Gallo, Capella, Charlotte pick, JJ.

He would be a great defensive QB and really make us top 10 immediately. We would still need to trade for one of the other guys in the previous list IMO

The problem with Gobert is that ATL would be like the new UTA: the best defensive C and 4 other guys that don't defend enough
And UTA only had the 10th best defense this season because of that

I'd love to see him here, and I'm pretty sure he can be a 20pts/15rbd guy playing with Trae, but at this salary... it's hard.
That's why if it's the only option, I would not offer too much, also because it helps UTA if they reset.