If Miami’s miraculous Cinderalla run this season has proved anything, it’s that the East is as wide open as it has ever been.
Teams like the Sixers and Bucks continue to face looming questions about their future. Squads like Toronto, Miami, and even Brooklyn, as good as they may be, seem far from unbeatable as currently constructed.
With one big move, it seems there are many teams that could rise the ranks of contention in the East, and none may be more equipped for such a move than the Atlanta Hawks.
Trae Young is showing that he can be a legit star in this league and with a reliable partner, it could be enough to put the team in a position to succeed. The question now is: who?
In a recent article by Nate Ackert of Fansided’s Dunking With Wolves, he writes about the possibility of the Hawks trading for Minnesota big man Karl-Anthony Towns for a package including Clint Capela, John Collins, DeAndre Hunter, and the number six overall pick in the 2020 draft.
Towns could be a nice fit with Trae Young in Atlanta’s fast-paced offensive system. If the Hawks acquired Towns, it would take their offense to a whole new level. While Collins is nice, Towns is that much more dynamic.
The Hawks already have several wings with upside, including Kevin Huerter, Cam Reddish, and DeAndre’ Bembry.
On the flip side, the Timberwolves get three promising young players, a buff on defense, and an extra pick to use in their discretion.
“For the Wolves, this would be a solid haul for the centerpiece of their franchise. Though his fit in Ryan Saunders’ 3-point-heavy system, Capela would undoubtedly be a defensive upgrade from Towns. John Collins would be a great fit for the Wolves offensively, showing the ability to spread the floor at the 4. Hunter is another nice young asset the Wolves could acquire along with the Hawks pick in this year’s draft. He was the No. 4 pick in the 2019 draft and has plenty of upside remaining.”
Obviously, the acquisition of D’Angelo Russell changed the trajectory of the franchise. It is unlikely that they will part with Towns or D’Lo very easily. But, given the chance to acquire depth and more young studs, they might just consider it.
Needless to say, it will be a very interesting offseason for both squads as they look to take some steps in the right direction.
