NBA Trades: Possible Hawks deal with Spurs sees them recapture top asset

NBA Trades: Hawks get creative in potential deal with Spurs

The potential deal would see the Hawks receive the rights to their 2025 first back from the Spurs. The Spurs, on the other hand, would get the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings' top-12 protected 2025 firsts. On the surface, trading what could be a top-10 pick for two probably seems like a bad move for the Spurs and a great one for the Hawks.

However, both the Lakers and Kings missed the playoffs last season and picked in the teens. The Lakers didn't get better, but the Western Conference did, with teams like the Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, and possibly the Spurs improving.

The Kings did too, but they may not make the playoffs either. That could give the Spurs two picks in the 10-15 range, while Bleacher Report currently projects the Hawks to finish with the ninth-worst record. Of course, if the Hawks were to get the rights to their own pick back then they would have incentive to try and tank.

Especially since the Spurs own swap rights in 2026 and another unprotected Hawks pick in 2027. But getting another high pick to pair with Young and Rishasher might be worth giving up two late lottery picks for the Hawks. Next, we'll see if the Hawks would agree to the trade and then if the Hawks would.