The Atlanta Hawks made headlines around the league on Thursday by moving Cam Reddish to the New York Knicks ahead of the trade deadline. For a team that has become linked often to Ben Simmons in various NBA trade rumors, does this move have an impact on their pursuit of the Philadelphia 76er star?
In return for Reddish, the Hawks received a protected 2022 first-round pick (via Charlotte Hornets) and Kevin Knox II from the Knicks while sending out Solomon Hill and 2025 second-round pick with Reddish to New York. Atlanta’s return in the deal has been met with no shortage of confusion and criticism from outsiders.
With the Hawks’ willingness to make a move, should we be watching them closer for a potential Ben Simmons trade as the deadline approaches? Given how Atlanta has sorely struggled to defend at a sufficient level, it would make a lot of sense to add arguably the NBA’s most versatile defender.
There are two obstacles that stand in the Hawks’ way in terms of being an attractive potential trade suitor, however.
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In exchange for Ben Simmons, the Philadelphia 76ers’ perspective continue to seek a level of player that Atlanta lacks, or at least are simply willing to offer in a trade. Secondly, there is overlap with Tobias Harris and John Collins with both players being power forwards.
The value of the draft pick the Hawks received in the Cam Reddish trade isn’t great. It’s a protected first-round pick but it’s another asset for Atlanta to put together in a potential deal.
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The Atlanta Hawks theoretically could involve the extra pick to send elsewhere to help incentivize a third-team to take on Tobias Harris. Given his two-year, $180 million deal still has two additional years remaining before it ends, it will take added incentive for a team to acquire him.
There’s a lot that needs to be ironed out before the Philadelphia 76ers manage to receive a worthy offer for them to be comfortable with parting with Ben Simmons. For now, the Atlanta Hawks are getting aggressive and appear to be very much in the mix.
