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The Atlanta Hawks are reportedly looking to move Buddy Hield. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported that Hield has remained in potential trade conversations since Atlanta fully guaranteed his salary in June.
That comes as no surprise. Hield played just 7.3 minutes per contest for Atlanta last season. He's one of the best shooters in the NBA, but it seems the Hawks felt that his defensive limitations offset his elite floor spacing.
Other teams will feel the same. Hield, on his own, will not fetch the Hawks a king's ransom. They could attach assets to land him.
But would that be worth their while?
Hield makes $9.66 million next season. The Hawks are hard-capped at the first apron, so they'd have to match salaries in any trade.
It's hard to identify players in that salary range who will be substantial difference-makers. The Hawks have been linked to floor-spacing forwards like Georges Niang and Kelly Olynyk.
Did someone say defensive limitations?
Niang makes some sense from that perspective. He's a better defender than Hield. He's still not excellent on that end of the floor, and that could limit his playing time. Arguably, it's a lateral move.
Some players could improve the Hawks in Hield's salary range. The Chicago Bulls' Jalen Smith feels like a viable option, but the Bulls won't flip him for Hield without receiving multiple second-round picks at a minimum. That's an option.
But so is keeping Hield.
Yes, Hield is a very bad defender. We're still talking about a career 39.5% 3-point shooter who's eclipsed 40.0% from deep on high volume multiple times in his career.
If the Hawks didn't have a stretch five, a target like Smith might make more sense. Adding that dynamic to their roster would be worth the cost. Given Onyeka Okongwu's leap as a shooter, that argument falls a bit flat.
Hield won't be a major piece for the Hawks. He's unlikely to get on the floor for 10 minutes every night. Still, having the option to plug in a guy who warps the geometry of the floor to the extent that Hield does feels at least as valuable as adding frontcourt spacing in the form of Niang.
Ultimately, it's inconsequential so long as the Hawks don't part with their assets. Hield won't play much, and if they flip his contract without draft capital, whoever they bring in won't play much either. All this article is suggesting is that they ought to tread carefully if they're thinking about making a splash.
There are worse fates than keeping one of the best shooters in the NBA on your roster.
Continue reading...
That comes as no surprise. Hield played just 7.3 minutes per contest for Atlanta last season. He's one of the best shooters in the NBA, but it seems the Hawks felt that his defensive limitations offset his elite floor spacing.
Other teams will feel the same. Hield, on his own, will not fetch the Hawks a king's ransom. They could attach assets to land him.
But would that be worth their while?
Hawks Must Hang Onto Assets
Hield makes $9.66 million next season. The Hawks are hard-capped at the first apron, so they'd have to match salaries in any trade.
It's hard to identify players in that salary range who will be substantial difference-makers. The Hawks have been linked to floor-spacing forwards like Georges Niang and Kelly Olynyk.
Did someone say defensive limitations?
Niang makes some sense from that perspective. He's a better defender than Hield. He's still not excellent on that end of the floor, and that could limit his playing time. Arguably, it's a lateral move.
Some players could improve the Hawks in Hield's salary range. The Chicago Bulls' Jalen Smith feels like a viable option, but the Bulls won't flip him for Hield without receiving multiple second-round picks at a minimum. That's an option.
But so is keeping Hield.
Hawks Could Consider Retaining Hield
Yes, Hield is a very bad defender. We're still talking about a career 39.5% 3-point shooter who's eclipsed 40.0% from deep on high volume multiple times in his career.
If the Hawks didn't have a stretch five, a target like Smith might make more sense. Adding that dynamic to their roster would be worth the cost. Given Onyeka Okongwu's leap as a shooter, that argument falls a bit flat.
Hield won't be a major piece for the Hawks. He's unlikely to get on the floor for 10 minutes every night. Still, having the option to plug in a guy who warps the geometry of the floor to the extent that Hield does feels at least as valuable as adding frontcourt spacing in the form of Niang.
Ultimately, it's inconsequential so long as the Hawks don't part with their assets. Hield won't play much, and if they flip his contract without draft capital, whoever they bring in won't play much either. All this article is suggesting is that they ought to tread carefully if they're thinking about making a splash.
There are worse fates than keeping one of the best shooters in the NBA on your roster.
Continue reading...
