Atlanta Hawks: Analyzing The Ersan Ilyasova Trade
By Adam McGee
The Atlanta Hawks acquired Ersan Ilyasova in a trade on Wednesday night, with Tiago Splitter, a second round pick, and an option for a second round pick swap going to the Philadelphia 76ers. How does it impact the Hawks, though?
Having not made any real secret in recent days of their intentions ahead of the 2017 NBA Trade Deadline, the Atlanta Hawks have finally made a move.
First reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, the Hawks will receive veteran power forward Ersan Ilyasova in a deal with the Philadelphia 76ers that will see Tiago Splitter as the only player moving in the opposite direction.
Sixers are finalizing a trade to Ersan Ilyasova to Atlanta for Tiago Splitter and two second-round picks, league sources tell @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 23, 2017
Source: Atlanta's sending a 2017 second-round pick (via Miami) in the Sixers trade. Hawks/Sixers swapping other 2017 second-rounders.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 23, 2017
The Hawks will also send one second round pick to the Sixers, along with the rights to swap a 2017 second round pick. Prior to the trade, the Hawks owned three second round picks heading into this year’s draft, with a pick from Miami that is now bound for Philadelphia, a pick from Brooklyn and their own selection.
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Atlanta’s own second rounder is owed to San Antonio as a top-55 protected pick this year, dating back to the Hawks’ original acquisition of Splitter. With the pick unlikely to convey this year based on the Hawks’ current place in the standings, that obligation will then be extinguished, per RealGM.
In other words, already significantly overstocked in terms of second rounders in the upcoming draft, the Hawks have decided to trade in one of those chips for a piece to help them in the short term, and will still hold two picks to use on draft night or bundle in trades before that time. According to Wojnarowski, the Hawks will end up with Golden State’s second rounder in the swap.
Sadly, the inclusion of Splitter is largely inconsequential as the Brazilian center hasn’t played since January of 2016 due to a host of niggling injuries. His inclusion, therefore, just fulfills salary cap requirements, and due to his status the cost of his contract will be covered by insurance.
Tiago Splitter's salary is covered by insurance, according to a league source. Only counts against the cap. https://t.co/zXIOjqOzdU
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) February 23, 2017
So, in a deal where the Hawks effectively seem to have parted with a second rounder straight up for Ilyasova, how have they fared? Let’s take a closer look.