Brooklyn Nets Receive: C Clint Capela, F Danilo Gallinari, 2022 First-Round Pick (ATL), 2024 First-Round Pick (ATL)

Atlanta Hawks Receive: G/F Ben Simmons

Simmons-to-Atlanta proposals have been floating around since before the Trade Deadline. Allegedly, the Hawks were one of the teams that were most aggressive in pursuing the former number one pick.

We see no reason to assume their interest has waned. The same questions about his availability that exist now persisted then. If the Hawks were interested, they should still be.

There is some intuitiveness in the fit between Simmons and Trae Young for the Hawks. They mask each other’s flaws. Young is one of the worst defensive players in the NBA: Simmons is one of the best.

Simmons has glaring offensive limitations: while Young has none. If Simmons is willing to function as a roll man in the Hawks’ halfcourt sets where Young is the lead ball-handler, they could be a devastating duo.

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Meanwhile, the Nets land a great big man in Capela. He’ll instantly become a starter for them, and perhaps their best defensive player. Gallinari is past his prime, but he could be a rotation player for this club. Finally, they’re getting draft capital back for their beleaguered star.

That might be too good of a deal for the team to pass on.