Atlanta Hawks: 3 players most likely to be traded before deadline

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
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3. Dewayne Dedmon

The New York Times’  Marc Stein tweeted that the Hawks have made Dedmon available in trade talks, which isn’t that surprising. With cheaper options like rookie Omari Spellman and offseason signee Alex Len waiting in the wings, it makes sense they would gauge what they could get for the 29-year-old center.

While Dedmon’s hasn’t put up spectacular numbers — through 34 games, he’s averaged 9.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game with a 14.2 Player Efficiency Rating — he has flashed an ability to stretch the floor, shooting 36 percent on 2.9 3-point attempts per game. Plenty of contending teams will want a guy that can defend around the rim (1.7 defensive box plus/minus) and draw opposing centers out to the perimeter.

Atlanta probably wouldn’t get much in return for Dedmon since he’s on an expiring contract. Teams aren’t going to surrender a ton of picks for a midseason rental, especially one as unheralded as Dedmon. But for a Hawks team that’s focused on its young core, moving on from Dedmon would help expedite the process.