Analyst Proposes Offseason Trade For Hawks To Land Ben Simmons and Draft Picks in Big Move

The 2023-2024 NBA season is winding down and the Atlanta Hawks only have eight games left. For the past month or so, it appears the Hawks are destined for a play-in tournament showdown with the Chicago Bulls and even if they can win two play-in games and make the playoffs, Atlanta would be faced with a first round matchup with the Boston Celtics. I know that the Hawks just beat the Celtics twice in one week, but they would be massive underdogs in a seven-game series with them and would likely be heading for a quick exit.

The Hawks are going to be one of the most interesting teams to watch this offseason. After being talked about relentlessly at the trade deadline, Atlanta opted to not make a move and keep the team they had. That is not the route that most expect them to take this summer and while that could mean anything from trading either Trae Young or Dejounte Murray or just moves to better role players, the Hawks are going to mentioned in conversations around the league.

Greg Swartz at Bleacher Report has one big move that could shake up the Hawks.

While he is not proposing a move to send either Young or Murray out, Swartz proposes the Hawks send two of their better role players to the Brooklyn Nets.

Here is the proposed trade:

Brooklyn Nets Receive: SG Bogdan Bogdanović, F De'Andre Hunter

Atlanta Hawks Receive: 2025 first-round pick (unprotected via Phoenix Suns), 2026 and 2028 second-round picks, G/F Ben Simmons

"The 27-45 Nets have no incentive to begin a rebuild. The Houston Rockets control their first-round picks for the next four years, including what currently projects as the No. 8 overall selection in the 2024 draft.

Adding talent to a core of Mikal Bridges, Cam Thomas, Nic Claxton (who's set to become a free agent this summer), Cam Johnson and others is still the best path forward for them.

Both Bogdanović and Hunter are capable of starting or serving as key rotation players who can score from all three levels. They'd make a Brooklyn team that ranks 22nd in offensive rating this season deeper and more dangerous overall.

For the Hawks, this would be a financial reset that sets them up nicely for the 2025 offseason. By swapping two players under long-term deals for Simmons' expiring contract, Atlanta would clear $39 million in salary. Add in Clint Capela's expiring deal, and the Hawks would be shedding $61.3 million from their books in 2025.

The Hawks would also acquire Suns' unprotected 2025 first-round pick and a pair of future second-rounders in this deal, and they could see whether they get anything out of Simmons in a contract year."

This is an intriguing move for the Hawks and one that would net them some free cap space and needed assets. Due to the Murray deal with the Spurs two summers ago, Atlanta does not have a lot of future draft capital and an unprotected pick from Phoenix could prove to be a big asset. Phoenix is a talented team, but both Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal are aging and this team does not appear to have a big window to try and win a title. If things start trending downward for the Suns, their future draft picks could be of huge use. Atlanta also does not have a first-round pick in 2025.

It would be ironic for the Hawks to acquire Simmons, given the 2021 playoff series and what has transpired with Simmons since. Due to injuries, Simmons has not played much in Brooklyn and it is fair to wonder whether he can recapture his All-NBA form ever again. The Hawks do need defense though and Simmons would be on an expiring contract, so it could be worth the flier. If Simmons somehow returned to playing like he did early in his career with Philadelphia, he could really help the Hawks. If not, the Hawks don't have to worry about re-signing him. The unprotected Phoenix pick is the real prize in this deal.

It would hurt to lose Bogdanovic and Hunter, two players who have really played really well this year, but it might be necessary to free up some space to make bigger moves. Bogdanovic has stepped up as a starter with Young injured and is still a very good offensive player and three-point shooter. Hunter has battled injuries again this year, but since coming back, he has enjoyed one of the best stretches of his career. Hunter is second on the team in three-point shooting percentage (40.5%) and is one guy the Hawks rely on for defense.

This is a move that the Hawks would make if they have other things in mind as well. I don't think they would willingly trade Bogdanovic and Hunter unless they had something else in mind. With the cap space cleared up, the Hawks could use the 2025 unprotected Suns pick in a trade to land a big player. Also, keep in mind, that this team has no incentive to tank, due to not having their own first-round picks.

This offseason is crucial for Atlanta and they have decisions to make.