Hawks looking to trade No. 6 pick for 'veteran help'?

The Atlanta Hawks believe they have the talent to make the jump into the Eastern Conference playoff picture, so much so that they are willing to trade the No. 6 pick away in exchange for a solid veteran who could help the team sooner rather than later. One player they may be interested in targeting is Jrue Holiday, whom the Pelicans confirmed they are open to trading.

"The Hawks might try nabbing Holiday using their No. 6 pick — which they would be open to trading for veteran help, per several sources — but I don't see that alone getting it done," wrote ESPN's Zach Lowe. "Would they attach one of their young wings?"

The Pelicans are expected to be looking to add younger players and picks to build around their young core, so getting the sixth pick in the draft may be an enticing piece for them. But Lowe is right that the pick alone is probably not enough for the Hawks to grab Holiday, meaning the team may need to include Cam Reddish, De’Andre Hunter or Kevin Huerter to sweeten the deal.

Holiday has spent the last seven seasons with the Pelicans, but at age 30, he may not be an ideal fit with the young, talented core the team is building around. Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson are all younger than 24, and while the Pelicans are unquestionably an exciting team, it's unlikely they will contend in the near future. While speaking about the team's "sustainable future," vice president David Griffin said that the Pelicans were exploring trade opportunities for Holiday.

"If the best way to build towards that future and the best way to put him in the best position to succeed is for him to be traded, then that's what ends up happening," Griffin said.