Five Players the Hawks Must Avoid at Trade Deadline

The Atlanta Hawks should avoid five players at the NBA trade deadline.

The NBA trade deadline is four days away, and rumors around the league are hitting a fever pitch. Among the teams considered most likely to shake up their roster, the Atlanta Hawks lead the pack.

After pushing all their poker chips to the middle of the table this past summer, Atlanta has nothing to show for it after 54 games. It is clear that Atlanta needs to improve their defense, outside shooting, and depth. Below are five players that may check some of those boxes but should be avoided at all costs.

Kyle Kuzma

Bogdan Bogdanovic defends Kyle Kuzma / Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Wizards power forward Kyle Kuzma would be an upgrade at the starting power forward position for Atlanta. Kuzma isn't shy about shooting the ball or doing the dirty work in the paint, as he averages 21.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.

However, Kuzma intends to decline his $13 million player option after the season and hit unrestricted free agency in July. Kuzma will get a much larger payday from some team, but Atlanta should not invest in a third option that requires a high usage rate and doesn't make the team a championship contender.

Jordan Clarkson

Jordan Clarkson dribbles past Trae Young / © Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson is another former Lakers prospect who graduated from the Kobe Bryant school of "just go get the rebound." Clarkson, a former sixth-man of the year winner, provides instant offense with 21 points per game off the bench.

Clarkson's contract is not unreasonable, as he is on the books for one more season at roughly $14 million. However, Atlanta does not need another ball-dominant guard. Especially one who does not play defense.

Kelly Olynyk

De'Andre Hunter dribbles past Kelly Olynyk / © Christopher Creveling-USA TODAY Sports

Sure, the Utah Jazz have exceeded expectations this season. But that has not stopped many league insiders from speculating that the upstart team will get dismantled at the trade deadline in pursuit of their larger goal of rebuilding the roster.

Jazz center Kelly Olynyk is on the books for another season at $12.1 million. However, Atlanta does not need any more frontcourt players - especially with Onyeka Okongwu's rookie-scale contract extension coming soon.

Grayson Allen

Trae Young and Grayson Allen race for the ball / Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Milwaukee Bucks guard Grayson Allen can provide solid perimeter defense and knock down roughly 40% of his three-point attempts. Allen makes $10 million less than Bogdan Bogdanovic and would be upgrade at the sixth-man spot.

However, Milwaukee's asking price would likely be too high for Atlanta. Plus, trading one of Trae Young's favorite teammates and all-around good vibes guy for one of his biggest rivals and most hated players in the league would not be a wise move for a team trying to build chemistry.

Any Miami Heat Player

Duncan Robinson and Gabe Vincent react to a play / © Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Many people in Atlanta (myself included) are still stinging from last year's early playoff exit at the hands of the Miami Heat. If it's any consolation, a handful of Miami's moves have not aged well.

Duncan Robinson and Kyle Lowry were massive overpays. It is no secret that Heat team president Pat Riley wants to remix the roster before making another playoff push. Atlanta should not even pick up the phone when they see the 305 area code (unless it's "Mr. 305," aka Pitbull, in which case, let's party).