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2017 NBA Trade Deadline: Grades For All 30 Teams

By Gerald Bourguet

Feb 22, 2017; Metairie, LA, USA; Omri Casspi (18) and DeMarcus Cousins (0) were introduced by the New Orleans Pelicans at a press conference at the New Orleans Pelicans Practice Facility. They came to the Pelicans in a trade from the Sacramento Kings. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2017; Metairie, LA, USA; Omri Casspi (18) and DeMarcus Cousins (0) were introduced by the New Orleans Pelicans at a press conference at the New Orleans Pelicans Practice Facility. They came to the Pelicans in a trade from the Sacramento Kings. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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2017 NBA Trade Deadline
Dec 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ersan Ilyasova (7) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the 76ers 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks were true to their word after general manager Wes Wilcox reaffirmed Paul Millsap wasn’t going anywhere and that they would enter the deadline as buyers.

The trade for Ersan Ilyasova added a useful stretch-4 to the equation, even if it meant giving up Tiago Splitter, a 2017 second-rounder and the rights to swap another 2017 second-rounder with Philadelphia.

The Hawks also dealt Mike Scott to the Phoenix Suns for a second round pick that is protected 31-55 to free up some room in the frontcourt rotation, but ultimately, one has to wonder if Atlanta is taking the right approach here.

For a franchise that’s been mired in Good But Not Great territory for too long, Ilyasova doesn’t move the needle past the Cavaliers or even the Celtics, Raptors and Wizards in the East. He’s an unrestricted free agent this summer, which means he could be a three-month rental, especially with the front office’s sights set on re-signing a 32-year-old Paul Millsap to an inflated deal.

It’s commendable the Hawks tried to put something together for Paul George or Jimmy Butler and that they want to remain competitive, but this is still the fifth best team in the East. Dealing Millsap and starting from scratch may have been a better approach, even though the individual deals Wilcox worked out were fine in a vacuum.

Grade: C