NBA Trades: This Cavs-Hawks-Spurs-Pelicans draft night swap would be a game-changer
By Cal Durrett
NBA Trades: Would the Hawks agree to the deal?
The Hawks have been consistently linked to Connecticut center Donovan Clingan, who could go as high as fourth, leading to speculation that they could trade down in the draft to get the player that they want while also being able to pick up an extra asset.
This deal would see them acquire the fourth and eighth picks, and the rights to their 2026 first-round second back, plus Liddell and Graham. In exchange, they'd give up the number one pick, Dejounte Murray, and a second-round pick.
That would be a fascinating deal since they would get the player they want in Clingan, an extra lottery pick, and their 2026 first back for the first pick, while saving nearly $11 million basically for Murray and the top pick. Considering that they tried previously and failed to move Murray for two firsts, including him in the package for two and a half firsts might be seen as a win.
As for whether the Hawks would agree to the deal, given the return, they just might for the aforementioned reasons, plus it would allow them to reshape their roster by adding a new starting center and giving them the flexibility to make other moves.