Entering the 2021-22 NBA season, the Atlanta Hawks' odds to win the title were at +3300. The hope was that they could pick up where they left off last year, catching fire under new head coach Nate McMillan and riding their roster depth and top-of-the-line talent in Trae Young and John Collins to a fast start.
But after a number of injuries, a COVID outbreak that took out a massive portion of the roster and generally underwhelming play, the Hawks find themselves at 16-20, good for the No. 12 seed in the Eastern Conference. Their title odds have gone down to +5000 and they just lost a game against a Damian Lillard-less Portland Trail Blazers, even though 56 points were scored by the hands of Trae Young.
But based on the latest reports — and based on what we saw last season, when the roster was near full strength — they're not counting themselves out of the race at all.
NBA insider Sam Amick reported that Atlanta is looking for a deal that would net them an impact player. The shape of the deal could take upon a one-for-two mold, with Amick noting that veteran role player Danilo Gallinari and up-and-coming wing Cam Reddish seem like "the most likely candidates to be headed out." Though the roster has been awfully depleted at times and a one-for-two deal would further lessen their depth, Amick says that the team is "well aware" their roster at full health can be crowded.
And that does seem to be the case. With John Collins, Cam Reddish, Danilo Gallinari, De'Andre Hunter, Jalen Johnson and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot all serving as capable forwards, moving some pieces for a player with a higher ceiling and more individual impact would be a sensible deal to consider.
The Athletic's Chris Kirschner said it wouldn't come as a surprise to him if a defensive boost was the focal point of any activity at the trade deadline, and you can't blame him for thinking this. Their defensive rating (114.4) is fourth-worst in the NBA, and teams are shooting very well from all over the floor against them, as they rank in the bottom-12 in percentages allowed from both two-point and three-point range. They have also forced the least turnovers in the league, which makes the fact that they surrender the fewest turnovers on the offensive end a little less exciting.
Could a defensive disruptor be the key for this Hawks team to make a run, and is there a worthy player out there who might fit the bill? We'll see in the coming weeks as the rumors continue to fly.
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