Training camp is fast approaching for Atlanta and the 2024-25 season is just over a month away. The Hawks have made some big moves to add to their roster this offseason, including signing French forward Zaccharie Risacher with the first overall pick and trading Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans for a package centered around Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance and two first-round picks. Atlanta is going to be a different team this season and I think the Hawks are going to be one of the most intriguing teams to watch in the NBA this season.
Do they still need another trade? There have been rumors about players like Clint Capela, DeāAndre Hunter and Larry Nance, but nothing substantial. The list of players who could be available has certainly shrunk over the offseason and there may not be much activity in the league until the trade deadline approaches in February. Still, there could be some trade targets that could improve the Hawks and Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report listed Former No. 6 overall pick Bennedict Mathurin is the Hawks’ most realistic dream target on the trade market.
“The Hawks appear to have chosen between Dejounte Murray (traded to the New Orleans Pelicans) and Young, but the franchise could completely reset itself in the right situation. Assuming Young sticks around for the year, the team needs to add young, athletic talent that doesn’t hurt the budget.
Indiana Pacers’ Bennedict Mathurin would be a great addition to rising star Jalen Johnson and first overall pick Zaccharie Risacher.
Over his two seasons, Mathurin averaged 15.8 points per game, 4.0 rebounds per game and 1.7 assists per game while shooting 44 percent from the field and 34 percent from three-point range. His season was cut short in March due to a torn right labrum. end of season operationHe has shown the ability to score from the bench and start if needed. Cleaning the window, The Pacers were -3.9 in Mathurin’s 1,512 minutes played and were generally better when he wasn’t on the court. Now, he’s only played two seasons and has a nice contract, but it’s still unclear how good of a player Mathurin is in the NBA.
What would a trade for Mathurin look like? If the Pacers were interested in Nance, you could do it directly, but it gets a little tricky after that. You can’t trade for De’Andre Hunter (who they’ve been linked to in the past) directly and the rest of the pieces aren’t of interest to either side, I’m not sure. I don’t think the Pacers want Clint Capela.
Mathurin would be an interesting player for the Hawks, but he doesn’t address their biggest need for improvement on defense, so I don’t know if it’s a risk worth taking.
