How This Trade Impacts Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks could use some more 3-point shooting on the team. That may be shocking for a Trae Young-led team, but the Hawks were slightly below average when it came to 3-point production last season.
Atlanta finished the season 17th in 3-pointers made per game and 19th in attempts. They were 12th in percentage, but Hield could push them toward the top-10 in each category.
Hield is as efficient as they come for volume 3-point shooters. Last season alone he made 4.0 3-pointers per game on 10.2 attempts. That equates to 39.1 percent, which tied a career-low for Hield in a season. He is a 40.6 percent career shooter from beyond the arc and would add another layer to an already good Hawks offense.
Imagine how many open looks he will get as teams try and figure out how to slow down pick-and-rolls initiated by Young with John Collins or Clint Capela. Hield would have a field day with the looks he would get in this offense.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: This Hawks-Kings Trade Features Buddy Hield To Atlanta
Defensively, the Hawks could run into some problems. Hield isn’t a strong defender, making Atlanta a little susceptible to giving up points as Young isn’t a good defender either. But, the team would have De’Andre Hunter and Capela to help erase some of the struggles on the perimeter.
The long-term money would be the only hesitation Atlanta would have in making this deal. With more extensions looming soon, they may not want to add salary to their books as Hield’s contract runs through 2024.
