The Atlanta Hawks have been one of the more interesting teams around the entire NBA. They currently sit with a record of 15-15 on the year, placed in the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference standings.
Many believed that the Hawks would fall down in the East after they traded away star guard Dejounte Murray over the summer. However, Atlanta has shown some resiliency and instead has been one of the biggest surprises this year.
With star point guard Trae Young still leading the way, the Hawks could do some damage the rest of the season. But if Atlanta wants to actually be taken seriously as a title contender, they will need to add more talent to the roster.
Young could use a co-star and the Hawks have some pieces that could entice opposing teams. One of the biggest names that has been potentially made available on the trade block ahead of the deadline next year is Miami Heat star forward Jimmy Butler.
Pairing Butler with Young could be interesting and give the Hawks a real fighting chance in the East. In a new trade scenario, the Hawks take the big swing and go after Butler in a blockbuster deal.
Here is what a trade could look like between the two sides:
Hawks receive: Jimmy Butler
Heat receive: De'Andre Hunter, Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance Jr., Kobe Bufkin, a 2025 first-round draft pick, a 2029 first-round pick swap, and a 2026 second-round draft pick
For the Heat, they land a potential upstart forward in Hunter who could help them rebuild back up. Additionally, Daniels could be a nice asset for the Heat to use down the line.
After trading Butler, Miami may look into moving on from Bam Adebayo as well. But if they were to keep him, the Heat could still field a decent team with these extra pieces.
For the Hawks, landing Butler would instantly make them contenders in the East. His toughness would give the Hawks defense the edge that they have been missing for some time and he could easily pair alongside Young.
Putting Butler, Young, and Clint Capela together could be a formidable trip for teams to deal with. Also adding in emerging star Jalen Johnson, the Hawks could take that next step forward.
Butler has needed a star guard to play alongside for years and Young would fit the bill very well. This would be a gamble for Atlanta but it could be worth their while to keep Young happy for the next few seasons.
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