Draft Atlanta Hawks Pick-Swap Watch Thread

[Ariel]

Detroit built a really nice core with those picks. Plus they could just as easily get lucky like the Spurs get their numbers drawn in the lotto three years in a row.

Those picks became Jaden Ivey, Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland. If those were their top players, they'd have the bleakest future in the league by far.

 

[RC_Drunkford]

If you're Milwaukee this is a trade you consider post lottery when that New Orleans pick falls into the top 3, not before then.

the thing is the Hawks own swap rights for the best of Milwaukee/NOLA picks. Milwaukee gets the least favorable of those. Having the ATL swap rights means they got 2 shots in the lottery since they would get the most favorable of those 2 picks all of a sudden. They could tank for the rest of the season and with NOLA being at the bottom of the west that's good odds for one of those 2 picks to land in the top 5.

 

[SpursBills]

If you believe in conspiracy theories, in recent history there have been a few examples of teams losing their franchise player and landing a top pick in the draft the next year

Cavs - Lebron
Pelicans - Chris Paul
Pelicans - AD
Mavs - Luka

 

[PocketMonger]

Plus

Those picks became Jaden Ivey, Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland. If those were their top players, they'd have the bleakest future in the league by far.

I’ve never seen someone hate top five picks so much. Unreal.

Plus by trading Giannis now the Bucks have ample time to tank with their own pick this year. Two big bites at the apple.

 

[Ariel]

the thing is the Hawks own swap rights for the best of Milwaukee/NOLA picks. Milwaukee gets the least favorable of those. Having the ATL swap rights means they got 2 shots in the lottery since they would get the most favorable of those 2 picks all of a sudden. They could tank for the rest of the season and with NOLA being at the bottom of the west that's good odds for one of those 2 picks to land in the top 5.

Thanks, the original post missed that nuance (that in 2026 it was the best of NO AND Milwaukee, not just NO's pick), that does make it a lot more palatable because Milwaukee would control their own odds so the outlook for the pick looks better. Still, in any Giannis trade I'd like some more sure assets rather than just plain lottery tickets, at the very least Okongwu and more picks to make up for the risk you're taking.

At the end of the day this is a move that I don't think a GM makes, you're asking a calculating human to assume significant short term risks for uncertain long term gain for a third party, it's much likely they opt for a package with less mystery boxes unless you have an involved owner who personally owns up to the decision.

 

[Ariel]

I’ve never seen someone hate top five picks so much. Unreal.

I'm not hating anything, simply laying out the very obvious risks involved with the proposed strategy, like Detroit, Utah, Washington and many others are well aware of by now. There's a very wide range of possible outcomes, you can't just assume the best case scenario will materialize. With that said...

Plus by trading Giannis now the Bucks have ample time to tank with their own pick this year. Two big bites at the apple.

I was going by your post that omitted it was best of NO/Milwaukee in '26, that does make it easier because it puts control back in their hands.

Unprotected Pels pick in 2026.
least favorable of the the Pel or Bucks pick in 2027 top four protected from a prior trade.

 

[PocketMonger]

I'm not hating anything, simply laying out the very obvious risks involved with the proposed strategy, like Detroit, Utah, Washington and many others are well aware of by now. There's a very wide range of possible outcomes, you can't just assume the best case scenario will materialize. With that said...

I was going by your post that omitted it was best of NO/Milwaukee in '26, that does make it easier because it puts control back in their hands.

In terms of pick value this deal is unbeatable plus the Hawks can still throw in some future swaps and unprotected firsts 3-5 years from now.

 

[spurraider21]

If you're Milwaukee this is a trade you consider post lottery when that New Orleans pick falls into the top 3, not before then.

its also a trade that ATL might not want if it winds up winning the lottery. you have to pull the trigger before

 

[spurraider21]

If you believe in conspiracy theories, in recent history there have been a few examples of teams losing their franchise player and landing a top pick in the draft the next year

Cavs - Lebron
Pelicans - Chris Paul
Pelicans - AD
Mavs - Luka

pelicans already had the top pick before trading AD. lotto occured before trade was agreed to. one of the assets in the AD trade that went to new orleans was the #4 overall pick. pelicans had #1 and #4 and traded #4 (deandre hunter) to atlanta for more picks

 

[PocketMonger]

Hawks starting five:

Dyson Daniels
Luke Kennard
Nickeil Alexander Walker
Jalen Johnson
Giannis

Okongwu as 6th man. Back court could use some love but that lineup can emerge out of the east and matches up very well with OKC.

 

[Guru of Nothing]

Hawks starting five:

Dyson Daniels
Luke Kennard
Nickeil Alexander Walker
Jalen Johnson
Giannis

Okongwu as 6th man. Back court could use some love but that lineup can emerge out of the east and matches up very well with OKC.

Fascinating roster construction. I don't need no stinking point guard! ... unlike the Spurs, who don't seem to need a power forward.

 

[PocketMonger]

Fascinating roster construction. I don't need no stinking point guard! ... unlike the Spurs, who don't seem to need a power forward.

Since Trae's been out Daniels has been running point just fine. Plus they have would Giannis and Jalen Johnson so ball handling shouldn't be too big of an issue. Position less basketball at its finest.

 

[Guru of Nothing]

Since Trae's been out Daniels has been running point just fine. Plus they have would Giannis and Jalen Johnson so ball handling shouldn't be too big of an issue. Position less basketball at its finest.

Concur, these are good times for ATL fans, both of them.

 

[RC_Drunkford]

Giannis to ATL would be even worse for our 27 Hawks pick

 

[spurraider21]

Giannis to ATL would be even worse for our 27 Hawks pick

member when our hawks picks seemed like premium assets? good times

 

[scott]

MIL fans deserve better.

 

[Itzsoweezee]

Hawks starting five:

Dyson Daniels
Luke Kennard
Nickeil Alexander Walker
Jalen Johnson
Giannis

Okongwu as 6th man. Back court could use some love but that lineup can emerge out of the east and matches up very well with OKC.

That team is poo poo. It sure as hell does not match up very well with OKC.

 

[BatManu20]

Giannis to ATL trade rumors are picking up steam. And it makes a lot of sense and would likely make them contenders in the wide open East. Something along the lines of:

Hawks receive:
- Giannis

Bucks receive:
- Risacher
- Porzingis
- 2026 NOP pick
- 2027 MIL pick
- 3 more UFRP's and/or Swaps

That might be the best offer they get. OKC is loaded with picks but obv won't disrupt what they have going on right now. BKN has a ton of picks but he'd be going to an even worse team than MIL so unlikely. Knicks are where he wants to be and they can match salaries with KAT, but all their draft capital is late First Round stuff so he'd basically have to be gifted to them like Luka was LA. Heat and Warriors want him badly but they have little to offer in terms of draft capital. Don't see any other teams as realistic options.

 

[LeBowen]

Giannis to ATL trade rumors are picking up steam. And it makes a lot of sense and would likely make them contenders in the wide open East. Something along the lines of:

Hawks receive:
- Giannis

Bucks receive:
- Risacher
- Porzingis
- 2026 NOP pick
- 2027 MIL pick
- 3 more UFRP's and/or Swaps

That might be the best offer they get. OKC is loaded with picks but obv won't disrupt what they have going on right now. BKN has a ton of picks but he'd be going to an even worse team than MIL so unlikely. Knicks are where he wants to be and they can match salaries with KAT, but all their draft capital is late First Round stuff so he'd basically have to be gifted to them like Luka was LA. Don't see any other teams as realistic options.

Bucks hang up if Johnson isn't included.
And I actually think Hawks should trade him to save a couple of picks because he won't stay healthy.

 

[BatManu20]

Bucks hang up if Johnson isn't included.
And I actually think Hawks should trade him to save a couple of picks because he won't stay healthy.

That could work too honestly. Trade JJ instead of Porzingis and then re-sign him this offseason.

PG: Trae
SG: Daniels
G/F: NAW
F: Giannis
C: Porzingis

Bench
Okongwu
Kennard
Krejci
Gueye
Newell

Spacing wouldn't be great with DD and they'd need better depth off the bench, but they'd have a shot in the wide open East. I'd pull the trigger on this in a heartbeat if I'm ATL.

 

[spurraider21]

imo atlanta clearly makes the most sense from a basketball perspective

 

[LeBowen]

As we speak, Pat Riley is scrambling to try and scam the Bucks with picks that won't convey until he's dead and buried.
Herro+Wiggins+FRPs being his offer.

 

[BatManu20]

imo atlanta clearly makes the most sense from a basketball perspective

Easily. Let's hope he threatens to not re-sign with anyone but the Knicks tbh. That pick and swap are going to be worth shit if he winds up in ATL.

 

[PocketMonger]

Bucks hang up if Johnson isn't included.

You might be right be who can realistically offer more? OKC could but I doubt they want to blow it up for a 31 year old Giannis.

Bucks would have no interest in KAT from the Knicks and as others have said the Knicks picks are garbage in comparison to what the Hawks can offer. Knicks would need a third team who needs KAT but doesn't want or can afford Giannis.

Lakers can offer Reaves/Rui and two expiring for matching salary but they don't have many picks. Plus Reaves turns 28 in May. Not sure I want to start a 3-5 year rebuild around a 28 year old. A three team deal involving Reaves makes more sense.

T-Wolves could try to arrange a three team deal involving Julius Randle but they're light on picks so that seems like a long shot too.

 

[PocketMonger]

The Rockets could offer Sengun plus picks but they need a PG not C but I still wouldn't rule them out.