The Atlanta Hawks are one of the young contenders that are expected to be active on the trade market in the 2021 offseason. After successfully ending their playoff drought and reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2020-21 NBA season, the Hawks are expected to be more aggressive in building a title-contending team around Trae Young.
The season isn’t yet over, but the Hawks are already being linked to several superstars who could be available on the trading block this summer.
Jimmy Butler To Atlanta Hawks
One of the potential trade targets for the Hawks in the upcoming offseason is All-Star small forward Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat. In a recent article, Greg Patuto of NBA Analysis Network suggested a way on how the Hawks would be able to acquire Butler from the Heat this summer.
In the proposed trade scenario, the Hawks would be sending a package that includes Bogdan Bogdanovic, De’Andre Hunter, Onyeka Okongwu, the No. 20 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, a 2023 first-round pick, a 2025 first-round pick, and the rights to swap first-rounders in 2024 to the Heat in exchange for Butler.
Is Jimmy Butler Worth All Those Assets?
Trading all those assets would be a tough decision for the Hawks, but it might be worth it if it means acquiring an established superstar like Butler. Butler would provide leadership to the young Hawks’ team and boost their performance on both ends of the floor.
He would give them a very reliable second-scoring option next to Young, as well as a great rebounder, playmaker, lockdown defender, and floor-spacer. This season, he averaged 21.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and 2.1 steals while shooting 49.7 percent from the field, per ESPN.
Jimmy Butler Elevates Hawks’ Status In East Coast
Trading for Butler would make a lot of sense for the Hawks, especially if they are serious about reaching the NBA Finals and winning the NBA championship title in the 2021-22 NBA season. Butler may have an unpleasant history with young stars, but having one of the most hardworking players in the league on their team could help Young speed up his development into a legitimate superstar in the league.
It would still take time for Butler to familiarize himself with the Hawks’ system. However, once he meshes well with Young, Clint Capela, John Collins, and Danilo Gallinari, it would put the Hawks in the same conversation as Eastern Conference powerhouse teams like the Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Do The Trade Make Sense For The Heat?
As of now, the Heat haven’t shown a single indication that they are planning to move Butler in the 2021 offseason. The proposed blockbuster deal would only be worth exploring for the Heat if Butler refused to sign an extension and demand a trade this summer.
By sending Butler to Atlanta, the Heat would be getting the assets they need to rebuild their team. Aside from receiving future draft picks, they would also be acquiring two young and promising talents in Hunter and Okongwu who would join Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro and form the core of the next title-contending team that the Heat would try to build in Miami.
