One Trade To Land Ben Simmons With Hawks After Reddish Trade

Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks, NBA Trade Rumors
NBA Analysis Network

After starting the NBA season 17-23, the Atlanta Hawks have made one of the season’s first significant trades, likely gearing them up for another move in the near future. On Thursday, Atlanta reached an agreement with the New York Knicks to trade Cam Reddish, Solomon Hill and a second-round pick in 2025 for Kevin Knox and a 2022 first-round pick. 

The first-round pick that the Knicks traded to the Hawks in this deal is from Charlotte and is protected Top-18 in 2022, Top-16 in 2023, Top-14 in 2024-25 and then converts to a 2026 and 2027 second-round pick if not conveyed.

The Knicks made out really well in this trade, addressing a need for a young, two-way wing like Cam Reddish and moving on from a player in Kevin Knox that was not wanted on this roster anymore, but what did the Hawks really get out of this? 

Atlanta is freeing up $1.2M of payroll and creating a $1.7M TPE that they can utilize in the near future, but this seems like a precursor to the Hawks making a significant roster change. Reddish had been rumored to be available in trade talks dating back to the 2021 NBA Draft, but two other big names to have come up in trade talks recently are Danilo Gallinari and John Collins. 

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Does Cam Reddish Trade Impact Hawks’ Pursuit Of Ben Simmons?

Gallinari is still owed $41.9M through next season, but the veteran has underperformed in Atlanta this season and is the key to the Hawks opening up enough cap space to bring in another impactful player to their roster.  

As for John Collins, he just signed a five-year, $120M deal in the offseason, but the 24-year-old power-forward is having a shaky season and has been frustrated as of late not only with his play, but that of the team. The Hawks are currently 17-23 on the season and on the outside of the Eastern Conference playoff picture, which is why another trade is on the horizon for this franchise. 

The Hawks must find a way to get Trae Young some more high-level help if they are to prove that last season’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals was no fluke, which is why Ben Simmons’ name has been brought up in trade rumors pertaining to the Hawks. 

Atlanta has shown a level of interest in Simmons and he does have some big fans in this front-office, but some within the Hawks organization are skeptical about his availability this season. Not only has NBA Insider Marc Stein reported the Hawks interest in Ben Simmons, but so have ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Marc Spears

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Does Cam Reddish Trade Impact Hawks’ Pursuit Of Ben Simmons?

The drama and negative media attention that comes with trading for Ben Simmons is definitely another yellow flag for the Atlanta Hawks, but they need some kind of drastic change if they are to be title threats in the Eastern Conference moving forward. 

Leveraging assets now to add another All-Star-like talent next to Trae Young could be very worthwhile for this franchise, but will the 76ers be willing to budge on their asking price for Simmons? Let’s take a look at a three-team trade revolving around Ben Simmons going to Atlanta. 

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