NBA Power Rankings Week 14: NBA trade deadline recap

NBA Power Rankings Week 14: Trade deadline recap

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 23: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Denver Nuggets at Amway Center on March 23, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /

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NBA trade deadline (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /

125. . 23-22. Previous: 12th. Atlanta Hawks. 12. team

Last Week: Lost to LA Clippers 119-110, Lost to Sacramento Kings 110-108, Beat Golden State Warriors 124-108

This Week: 3/28 at Denver Nuggets, 3/30 at Phoenix Suns, 4/1 at San Antonio Spurs, 4/2 at New Orleans Pelicans

The trade the Atlanta Hawks pulled off at the deadline was an absolute heist. Rajon Rondo has been mostly bad this season, essentially being paid $7.5 million this season and next to be a coach. Getting bailed out of that commitment would have been a victory in and of itself. The fact that Atlanta was able to do that while bringing in assets instead of attaching them to his contract is wild.

A haul of two second-round picks is not a king’s ransom but they do represent trade sweeteners that the Hawks can use in the future to continue to build the roster. Bringing home “Lemon Pepper” Lou Williams is icing on the cake. Williams has not been a good playoff in years past but he alleviates one of the biggest issues ailing the Hawks at present: how to make any offensive headway when Trae Young goes to the bench.

This is not the kind of move that raises the ceiling for the Atlanta Hawks in any meaningful way but it makes things easier going forward. Keeping John Collins is also a win. The Hawks are going to see just what they can do with the young players they have before making any decision on Collins’ free agency. The rest of the season should be interesting.