Bad Destination: Atlanta Hawks
Despite what some fans and analysts might think, pairing top names in the league together doesn’t always result in success on the court. Just ask the Brooklyn Nets or Los Angeles Lakers.
Sure, pairing Donovan Mitchell and Trae Young would make for one of the most exciting and offensively gifted backcourts in the league. It would also field perhaps the worst defensive guard tandem in the NBA.
Without giving Trae Young, the Atlanta Hawks would be hard-pressed to find a way to acquire Spida without giving up most or all of their young defensive talent. A reasonable trade package would most likely include three of John Collins, De’Andre Hunter, Kevin Huerter, and Onyeka Okongwu.
If Donovan Mitchell was frustrated with the defense in Utah, imagine how he’d feel playing next to Trae Young without most of Atlanta’s best defenders helping on the wings or in the backline.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Miami Heat More Likely To Trade For Donovan Mitchell Than New York Knicks
This trade would strip Atlanta of all of their prospective talent and leave the Hawks with, at best, a Play-In team — even with Donovan Mitchell’s services.
While the Atlanta Hawks should be in the business of consolidating talent, Rudy Gobert makes more sense as a target for them than Spida does.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Miami Heat More Likely To Trade For Donovan Mitchell Than New York Knicks
Trae Young and Donovan Mitchell are another superstar breakup waiting to happen if the Atlanta Hawks were to pair them up together.
