Breaking down the Southeast Division trade deadline deals

Atlanta Hawks deadline deals

Atlanta was one of the most interesting teams at the trade deadline. They traded Kyle Korver to Cleveland in January, and it was widely believed that Paul Millsap would be gone next. But when the deadline came around they actually acquired Ersan Ilyasova. And traded away Mike Scott for a draft pick. Huh? Let’s look at each trade individually.

Atlanta Receives: Protected 2019 first round pick, Mo Williams and Mike Dunleavy

Cleveland Receives: Kyle Korver

This trade screams tank job. A 2019 pick is obviously not worthless, but it’s so far in the future that Atlanta won’t see the benefits of this trade for a couple years. Mo Williams was immediately waived, and Mike Dunleavy needed convincing to not show up to the office.

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Here’s the thing though. The Hawks are 12-8 since trading away Korver. Dunleavy is shooting a Korver-like 43% from three, TIm Hardaway Jr. has stepped in and averaged almost 20 points a game. At the time this screamed like a lopsided move for Atlanta, but the Hawks don’t seem to miss Korver that much. Throw in the fact that Korver is a free agent after this season and it appears to be a solid move for the ATL.

Hawks Trade Grade: B+

Atlanta Receives: Ersan Ilyasova

Philadelphia Receives: Thiago Splitter, future second-round pick and swap rights on another future second-rounder

This trade is a little more difficult to analyze because Ilyasova hasn’t played a game with the Hawks yet. Luckily for you guys, we know how good he is because of his three games with the Thunder.

Ilyasova is going to be a nice addition for Atlanta. He’s an underrated defender and shoots the three well…basically he’s a lite-lite-lite version of Millsap. The Hawks gave up nothing of immediate impact deal considering Splitter hasn’t played a game this season so that’s a positive for a win-now move. But the 29-year old is also on the last year of his contract; being traded five times in three years has surely eliminated any organization loyalty for Ilyasova.

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The Big Turk is a great third big, but the Hawks already had depth with Mike Muscala and Kris Humphries. Atlanta currently sits in the fifth seed and they are unlikely to pass the Raptors or Wizards. Is this move going to swing a playoff series? Probably not. If they can’t resign Ilyasova the move looks even worse.

Hawks Trade Grade: C

Atlanta Receives: Protected second-round pick

Phoenix Receives: Mike Scott, rights to Cenk Akyol and cash

Scott has only appeared in 18 games this season (partly due to injury) after playing in 75 last season. His stock had fallen with coach Mike Budenholzer because of both on the court and off the court issues, and the fourth-year player will be a free agent this offseason.

The only problem is Atlanta really didn’t get anything in return. The pick is a 2017 top-55 protected pick, and the Suns are guaranteed to find themselves in the top 55. Atlanta basically gave Phoenix cash to get Scott away from the organization.

Hawks Trade Grade: D+