Atlanta Hawks: 5 predictions for the 2018-19 NBA season

5. Kent Bazemore will be traded before season’s end.

In today’s NBA, there are two types of players that all 30 teams crave: star players that can create their own shot and lanky, athletic 3-point shooters that can defend multiple positions. Hawks swingman Kent Bazemore fits firmly in the latter category.

Last year, Bazemore made 39.4 percent of his triples and he tied for the team lead in defensive win shares despite playing in only 65 games.

With the skills that Bazemore possesses, it should surprise no one that a few teams were interested in trading for the two-way guard, most notably the Houston Rockets (who lost Luc Mbah a Moute and Trevor Ariza to free agency).

The Bazemore trade rumors have died down over the last month, so it looks like the former Old Dominion standout will start the season in Atlanta. But how long will he stay?

Bazemore will make $18 million this year and has a $19.2 million player option for next year. The Hawks have more than enough cap space to foot that bill.

The scarcity of 3-and-D players should behoove them to keep him around, but that league-wide deficiency could allow the Hawks to net a nice return for a good wing player that would not be a rental.

The allure of picks and young assets may be too enticing for the Hawks to pass up, especially if Bazemore gets off to a strong start.