NBA Trade Rumors: What Is Going On With Atlanta Hawks?
Multiple NBA trade rumors revealed that the Atlanta Hawks are looking to trade their point guard, Jeff Teague. However, the former all-star might not be the only person to leave the team.
Latest reports alleged that the team, which finished runner-up in Eastern Conference finals last season but lost to Cleveland Cavaliers, might ship out three of their players before the NBA trade deadline.
"After winning a franchise-high 60 games last season, the Hawks are currently 30-24 and fifth in the Eastern Conference after consecutive losses to the Orlando Magic on Sunday and Monday," ESPN's Kevin Arnovitz and Brian Windhorst wrote.
"Atlanta is clustered with a scrum of seven teams separated by only 4½ games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors."
The report added that this possibility stems from team's decline in performance. They finished last year as top seed but now, their 30-24 record suggests that they could not contend for title.
"Sources with knowledge of the team's thinking say that Hawks management and ownership have conceded internally that unless Atlanta can recapture the magic of last season's run -- when it went 60-22 and claimed the East's top seed -- this season's team is a fringe contender," the article further read.
This is a huge move for Hawks and will surely affect the team's campaign in the next few seasons. Those three are their key contributors and with them gone, their campaign will suffer.
Initially, it was only Jeff Teague's name mentioned in NBA trade rumors. Among those who want to sign the foremr all-star are said to be Utah Jazz and New York Knicks.
As for this latest development, ESPN said there are already suitors for Al Horford.
"If the Hawks decide to test the market for Horford, numerous teams would potentially show interest," the sports publication wrote.
"Sources inform ESPN that the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, and Magic have been the most aggressive in looking to acquire a veteran difference maker."
The NBA trade deadline is on Feb. 18.