One NBA writer is proposing that the Atlanta Hawks acquire Tim Hardaway Jr. and Dereck Lively II from the Dallas Mavericks in a bold proposal. Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Hawks and Mavericks:
The Deal: Atlanta Hawks trade Clint Capela and Jalen Johnson to Dallas Mavericks for Tim Hardaway Jr., Dereck Lively II and a 2027 lottery-protected first-round pick
“For the Atlanta Hawks, they already have 22-year-old Onyeka Okongwu waiting in the wings to start at the 5,” Bailey wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “He has the potential to be even more dynamic than Capela, thanks to his ability to defend the perimeter. Having Lively to back him up helps too. As a rim-runner and -protector off the bench, he can develop at a comfortable pace.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Tim Hardaway Jr., Dereck Lively II, Dallas Mavericks, Atlanta Hawks Updates
“The win-now element of this comes from Tim Hardaway Jr., though. This may be a bit of a surprise for a team led by Trae Young, but the Hawks were in the bottom third of the NBA in both three-point percentage and threes per game last season. Last season, Hardaway averaged 3.0 threes and shot 38.5 percent from deep. Both marks (or something closer to them) would elevate Atlanta’s offense.”
Hardaway Jr. appeared in 71 games for the Mavericks last season. He averaged 14.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists while shooting 40.1% from the field, 38.5% from beyond the arc and 77.0% from the free-throw line. Hardaway Jr., who has been in several trade rumors this offseason, played for the Hawks from 2015-16 to 2016-17.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks acquired Lively II from the Oklahoma City Thunder in July. The Thunder selected Lively II with the 12th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and traded him to the Mavericks for Davis Bertans and Cason Wallace.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Tim Hardaway Jr., Dereck Lively II, Dallas Mavericks, Atlanta Hawks Updates
The Hawks went 41-41 last season. They lost to the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 2023 playoffs in six games.
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