The Atlanta Hawks have figured out how good a team they can be without Trae Young during the star guard's recent injury absence.
Could that play a role in trade season? It definitely could.
The Hawks could look to move Young, and given their contending status, would want to somehow land a different high-end player in return.
A guy that fits the bill: Anthony Davis. The Dallas Mavericks may look to deal AD less than a year after getting him for Luka Doncic, and the Hawks are a possible landing spot.
ESPN put together some different trade proposals for AD, and the suggested way for the Hawks to land Davis is actually to pull off a five-team trade that would involve the Hawks, Mavs, Kings, Warriors and Pistons.
Here's how that would look:
- Hawks get
- Anthony Davis
- Jonathan Kuminga
- Buddy Hield
- Devin Carter
- Mavericks get
- Zach LaVine
- 2026 first-round pick (via Warriors, top-14 protected, otherwise 2032 second-round pick 31 to 50)
- 2027 first-round pick (via worse of Bucks and Pelicans, top-4 protected)
- Kings get
- Trae Young
- Luke Kennard
- Warriors get
- Kristaps Porzingis
- Pistons get
- Doug McDermott
- Cash considerations
OK, a lot to follow along with here.
The Hawks get four intriguing pieces, including the former first-rounder Carter who just hasn't panned out in Sacramento.
The Mavs get a strong guard in LaVine and two picks.
Sacramento gives up LaVine and Carter to add Young and try its luck with a new team leader.
The Warriors plop in to get rid of Kuminga and Hield and add the exciting Porzingis.
Detroit just plays a minor role in making the money work out.
It'd certainly grab headlines if AD were to move in a five-team trade.
More NBA news:
- 3 Eastern Conference teams chasing after Anthony Davis trade
- Pelicans' Derik Queen puts up crazy numbers only done in recent NBA history by LeBron James, Nikola Jokic
- Rich Paul makes the LeBron James trade plans clear
- Desmond Bane offers $35,000 explanation for NBA Cup outburst