NBA Trades: 1 trade target for every Southeast Division team

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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 06: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks passes past Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter during Game One of the Eastern Conference second round series at Wells Fargo Center on June 06, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

NBA Trades Southeast Division: Atlanta Hawks – Ben Simmons

Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer reported on Thursday that, aside from All-Star guard Trae Young and Clint Capela, everyone on the Atlanta Hawks is available for trade.

The Hawks kicked trade season off with a bang as they traded Cam Reddish to the New York Knicks Thursday, and more moves could be in store for the Eastern Conference runner-up from a year ago. Particularly, with their rumored interest in Ben Simmons.

As reported by long-time NBA reporter Marc Stein (subscription required), the Hawks are a suitor to monitor in the ongoing Simmons trade sweepstakes. Trading for Simmons and his max contract would require some seismic roster changes for the Hawks, given the Philadelphia 76ers’ demands in any potential trade package.

Still, adding him could be the jolt that they need to resurrect their sluggish start to the season, as they sit at 12th place in the East with a 17-24 record.

The most significant reason why the Hawks would want to trade for Simmons would be to bolster their defense. According to NBA.com/stats, they have the 28th worst defensive rating in the NBA this season.

The Hawks cannot guard a parked car, and they desperately need help if they wish to turn things around. Simmons, a two-time All-Defensive honoree, would certainly fit the billing in that regard, as he could help mightily on that side of things.

In the second year of a five-year extension worth $177 million, Simmons would be an expensive target for the Hawks. However, they have the pieces to make a compelling trade offer with names like John Collins (who could be very interesting), Bogdan Bogdanovic, or Danilo Gallinari.

Due to their assets, Atlanta remains one of the few rumored trade suitors that could make a legitimate run at the disgruntled star.

Next. 4 Jerami Grant trades based on recent NBA rumors. dark