Atlanta Hawks: 2017 NBA Trade Deadline Outlook
By Adam McGee
Reluctant to Deal
Dwight Howard, Mike Muscala, Malcolm Delaney
It doesn’t make sense for the Atlanta Hawks to be totally locked in and unwavering on Dwight Howard’s future role with the team, in spite of his stellar performance since signing in the summer. Keeping Howard for the rest of this season and beyond should remain the preference, but not at all costs.
Having gone through tough times in terms of injury and fit since leaving Orlando all the way back in 2012, Howard has looked happy, engaged and better than he has for years through his first few months with his hometown Hawks. Although he’s relying less than ever on his scoring, Howard’s defensive presence and rebounding are as good as they’ve been since his prime back at the start of this decade.
Having a player of Howard’s status and skill is appealing regardless of what route the Hawks take in the coming seasons, which means that even if his improved play generates interest from elsewhere again, expect the Hawks to stick with Dwight unless they receive a “Godfather” offer.
As a player who the Hawks have worked diligently with ever since drafting him in 2013, Mike Muscala is reaping the rewards for his hard work with a career-high minutes total and consistent and important contributions to his team at both the power forward and center positions.
Muscala is an unrestricted free agent this summer, but with a host of power forwards and centers potentially leaving Atlanta, they may want to keep him for now with a view to bringing him back in the summer.
Although it’s been a rollercoaster ride for Hawks backup point guard Malcolm Delaney in his rookie NBA season, it would also be surprising if they showed a willingness to move the 27-year-old. Delaney has proven mostly serviceable in a supporting role, and has a year remaining on an incredibly cheap $2.5 million per year contract. Even if he ends up third choice next season, Delaney’s bargain deal makes him valuable for Atlanta.