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Atlanta Hawks: How the Hawks could trade for the Warriors’ No. 2 pick

By Larry Hammonds

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 09: Ballboys wear gloves while handling warmup basketballs as a precautionary measure prior to an NBA game between the Charlotte Hornets and Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on March 9, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 09: Ballboys wear gloves while handling warmup basketballs as a precautionary measure prior to an NBA game between the Charlotte Hornets and Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on March 9, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
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NBA draft, Atlanta Hawks (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
NBA draft, Atlanta Hawks (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

In an NBA draft where most teams are trying to trade down or out of, the best play for the Atlanta Hawks may be to trade up.

It’s not the storyline that’s been dominating the rumor mill, but the Atlanta Hawks swapping lottery picks with the Golden State Warriors might be just what the doctor ordered.

The Hawks have been mired in mediocrity since their first-round exit in the 2017 playoffs. They’ve failed to accrue more than 30 wins in a season since then. With emerging stars in Trae Young and John Collins breathing life into the franchise, the Hawks have made it known they are ready to add talent and make a push for the postseason. They will now look to the draft and free agency to achieve this goal.

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After standing at the NBA’s mountaintop for the last five years, the Golden State Warriors were decimated by injuries last year and came tumbling down. Following six consecutive seasons with 50-plus wins and three championships in five years, the Warriors limped their way to a 15-50 record last season.

With the Warriors expected to be fully healthy for the first time since the start of the 2019 NBA playoffs, it’s no secret that Warriors are looking to add another veteran to help propel them back to the pinnacle of the NBA.

Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report recently suggested a trade scenario between the two teams that could benefit both sides.

The trade Swartz proposed:

The Warriors add a veteran talent at the one position of immediate need in Clint Capela and stay in the lottery. The Hawks get Kevon Looney in return and move up in the draft, and have a chance to select James Wiseman to be their center of the future. While simultaneously creating even more cap space in one of the more important offseasons for the franchise in recent memory.

Without further ado, let’s analyze how that trade affects both the Golden State Warriors and the Atlanta Hawks.

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