On the eve of the 2025 NBA Draft, the Atlanta Hawks made a massive trade. Atlanta, Brooklyn, and Boston agreed to a three-team deal that sent Kristaps Porzingis and a 2nd round pick to the Hawks, Georges Niang and a 2nd round pick to the Celtics, and Terance Mann and the 22nd pick in this year's draft to the Nets. It is a big swing for the Hawks, who needed to add to their frontcourt and get more size this offseason.
The Hawks are one of the most interesting teams this offseason due to their optionality and flexibility. They are below the luxury tax line, have a lottery pick (plus other future picks), and the NBA's largest trade exception. Atlanta has a $25.2 million exception that they can use (until July 6th) and it was in the deal that sent Dejounte Murray to New Orleans for Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance, and draft picks. The Hawks can acquire a player or players whose salary (or salaries) match the amount in the exception and it does not add to their cap or luxury tax liabilities. This is a way for the Hawks to add a useful player or players to their roster while staying financially flexible.
But who could the targets be? Let's take a closer look (listed in no particular order).
Johnson is probably the best player that the Hawks could add with their trade exception. He is a terrific shooter and another big wing with size to put around Trae Young. It would likely cost multiple first round picks to obtain Johnson (No. 13 and a future 1st), but he is a terrific fit for Atlanta with Trae Young and the Hawks should see how available he really is.
This is an interesting combination that has not been mentioned much, but would make sense for both team. Isaac is an exceptional defender and would help the Hawks continue to trend up on that end of the court, while Bitadze would be a very important third center for Atlanta. With Porzingis likely to miss some time at some point, having a guy like Bitadze to backup Onyeka Okongwu would be a nice luxury to have. The question would be having Isaac and Porzingis on the same time, two players who have struggled with injuries. There is huge upside with addiing these players and Orlando could be looking for more salary relief for the future by shedding both of these contracts.
Both players fit into the trade exception and the Hawks get a backup ball handler and a third option at center. Again, while Porzingis will help the Hawks, finding a reliable third center should still be an option. Ball comes with injury concerns as well, but the Hawks could use another ball handler and he could even play with Trae Young in certain lineups. The cost would not be much and they fill major needs.
This is not one of my favorite options, but Robinson would fill a big need off the bench with his ability to shoot the ball. The Heat could be looking to move off of his contract and he is entering the last year of his deal. With Niang gone, there is not a lot of reliable shooting on the team and Robinson would give them a huge lift in that area. He would get plenty of open shots with Trae Young.
Smart is entering in the last year of his deal and makes plenty of sense for the Hawks. He would be a solid backup ball handler who adds toughness and defense as well. He has had some injury issues over the past couple of seasons, but is a good veteran player to have and is on an expiring contract, not to mention it would not cost a lot to obtain him. This should get a serious look from Atlanta.
Brooks was just traded from Houston to Phoenix, but the Hawks should inquire about his availability. He is a polarizing player, but does add defense, toughness, and can get hot as a shooter. Those are qualities the Hawks could use and he makes sense.
Powell is entering the last year of his deal, but is coming off of a career-best season. He was a borderline All-Star last year and was a huge part of the Clippers being one of the best teams in the Western Conference. He is an excellent shooter and scorer and would give the Hawks a big boost off the bench. He is valuable to the Clippers though, but this is a call the Hawks should make.
Monk should be a top target for the Hawks with the trade exception. He is one of the best bench players in the NBA and a dynamite scorer and ball handler. There have been rumors of the Kings looking to move him and he would fill a lot of needs in Atlanta. This would be a home run get for the Hawks depending on the cost.
Washington seems to be the odd man out in the Mavericks loaded frontcourt and there have been rumors of the team looking to move him. While he does not take up the entire exception, Washington would give the Hawks a valuable backup behind Jalen Johnson and someone who can give them lineup versatility. Could the Hawks get Dallas to give up P.J Washington and Naji Marshall to fit into the exception? Seems like a long shot but something the Hawks should explore.
Allen is one of the best shooters in the NBA and would give the Hawks bench a major boost offensively. The contract is not the most desirable, but it is not a negative value either.
Jones is another player who should be at the top of the list for the Hawks. Is he obtainable though? It feels like it would take a lot to convince the Pelicans to move him, but they could be open for business. Jones gives them another elite on-ball defender and three-point shooter on an excellent contract.
Sexton is going to be going into the last year of his contract and is likely going to be highly sought after in the trade market. He would be an excellent backup guard behind Trae Young and give the Hawks some scoring punch. His defense is a concern, but this would be well worth the swing for the Hawks.
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Are NBA players underpaid? Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry argues yes. The greatest shooter in NBA history said Thursday on Complex’s “360 With Speedy” that because the league’s current CBA doesn’t allow for current players to invest in league and team equity, players are leaving money on the table. “I would say, yes, we are underpaid,” Curry admitted when asked, despite enormous salaries, if the players were getting short-changed, “because you wanna be able to participate in that rise [of equity].” “It’s a partnership with ownership, [and] it’s a partnership with the league,” the 37-year-old stressed, revealing that league salaries do not reflect players’ impact on team valuations. If anyone has the right to begrudge the current CBA on player participation in equity, it’s Curry. When drafted in 2009, the Warriors were worth $315 million. Current valuations in May of 2025 have the team at $9.4 billion, the most in the league. Curry’s been paid handsomely during his time in Golden State, and he doesn’t overlook it. “I know we’re blessed to be in a position where we’re playing basketball for a living, and these are the type of checks that people are earning,” he told Complex. However, when he signed his $62.6 million one-year extension in 2024 that would keep him in a Warriors’ jersey until 2027, many felt that no amount of money the franchise could offer him would represent his worth. Curry had an undeniable impact on the Warriors’ valuation increasing by nearly 3,000%. He’s benefited by being the most salaried player on the roster and plenty of endorsement deals. But is he getting his fair share? Something similar may happen with reigning NBA Finals MVP and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who just signed the richest contract in league history with an average annual value of $71.25 million. According to Forbes, the Thunder’s valuation increased 20% from 2023 to 2024 and will likely take another jump after this year’s championship. Curry concedes that player participation in equity isn’t a simple concept and not all markets are created equal: “You got competitive advantage considerations…and want every market to have a fair chance, like I get all that.” He believes, however, that finding a solution is a “mutually beneficial proposition” for players, teams and the league. Even the most expensive people in the world need to find other investors to make owning an NBA team possible. The best example of Curry’s point is the Boston Celtics sale in March. The most-championed franchise in league history was sold to Bill Chisholm for $6.1 billion, the largest ever sports franchise sale in North America at the time. Chisholm needed Rob Hale, Bruce Beal Jr., and private equity firm Sixth Street, to afford the purchase. Because team ownership is already a multi-investor operation, the league could potentially come to an agreement with the players by the next CBA negotiation at the end of the decade. If not, the league's best players will continue to simultaneously earn a ridiculous amount of money, and it will not be nearly enough.
With the trade for Ryan McMahon now complete, it would seem New York Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman has fulfilled one of his three priorities. He can now cross third base off the list, which leaves the rotation and bullpen as his remaining priorities. However, according to one Yankees writer, Cashman might not be done with the infield. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reported this after the McMahon trade: “The Yankees may not be done adding to their infield. A team source said the Yankees are interested in adding a right-handed hitter who could play the infield.” Kirschner adds that the Yankees have had interest in Willi Castro and Amed Rosario. But the question now is, how would another player fit in the Yankees’ infield? Needless to say, Paul Goldschmidt and Jazz Chisholm Jr. aren’t going anywhere, and McMahon is just getting there. That leaves the low-hanging fruit. Anthony Volpe has been at the center of controversy all this season. His 13 errors, many of which had come at make-or-break moments, amount to the second-highest total in the game. In addition, his bat has not been able to compensate, hitting .214/.286/.407 with 14 home runs. There was always a lot to like about Volpe. He won a Gold Glove in his rookie year, his power has always been promising and his speed is nothing to scoff at. Unfortunately, his glove has become a liability and his speed has also produced very few results. Volpe has swiped just 10 bags in 17 attempts. His power is the one thing that still has some upside, but it hasn’t been enough to justify a spot in the lineup. Both Castro and Rosario have been far more productive at the plate this season than Volpe. Kirschner doesn’t clarify how serious the Yankees are in their pursuit of another infielder, but that most likely isn’t available information. Having just turned 24, Volpe could still become the type of player that was expected from him as a top prospect. However, his recent performance has weighed heavily on his team’s efforts and it may be buying him a ticket out of the Bronx — or at least a spot on the bench.
The New York Mets are a half-game ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies for first place in the NL East, but their pitching staff is still injury-ravaged despite the recent returns of Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas. Brandon Waddell (hip), Dedniel Nuñez (elbow), Max Kranick (flexor), Paul Blackburn (shoulder), Tylor Megill (elbow), Griffin Canning (Achilles), Drew Smith (elbow), A.J. Minter (lat), Danny Young (elbow), and Christian Scott (elbow) are alll on the Mets' IL. The MLB Trade Deadline is July 31 at 6 p.m. EST, so the front office has one week to add healthy arms from around the league this season. ESPN's David Schoenfield predicted on Thursday that New York would trade for a Minnesota Twins reliever. "One guarantee of the trade deadline: The Mets will add to the bullpen, probably with more than one trade. Though the rotation still ranks fifth in ERA, that was built off a hot start," he wrote. "More importantly, the only Mets starter to complete six innings since June 7 has been David Peterson. As a result, manager Carlos Mendoza has run relievers Reed Garrett, Huascar Brazoban, Jose Butto and Ryne Stanek into the ground. The bullpen had a 2.78 ERA through May, but that figure is over 5.00 since the beginning of June (ranking near the bottom of the majors)." "The Twins have two high-profile relievers in [Jhoan] Duran and [Griffin] Jax, both of whom are under team control through 2027, so they'll be much more expensive than your usual short-term relievers if the Twins decide to trade one or both," he continued. "Duran would be harder to deal -- but bring more in return -- so we'll say Jax will go. Don't be fooled by his 4.09 ERA: He has 68 strikeouts and 12 walks in 44 innings with a 97-mph heater. He's an elite strikeout reliever, the type you want on the mound in October." The Mets are hot despite their injuries, as they're on a four-game winning streak and just swept the Los Angeles Angels. Next up is a road trip against the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres. New York right-handed pitcher Clay Holmes (8-5, 3.48 ERA) will face Giants right-hander Logan Webb (9-7, 3.08 ERA) on Friday.
The Boston Bruins are gauging trade interest in forward Pavel Zacha, according to The Fourth Period. Following a down season and a trade deadline where Zacha’s name was thrown around but was ultimately not moved, Bruins GM Don Sweeney is trying to move the 27-year-old Czech center. Zacha is playing in the final season of a contract that has a $4.75 million cap hit. Zacha, acquired from the New Jersey Devils in 2022 for Erik Haula, has been a solid pickup for Boston. He posted 21 goals and 57 points in 78 games in 2023-24, though his production dipped slightly to 47 points over a full 82-game slate last season. He can play up and down the lineup and has a strong two-way game. Who Has Shown Interest in a Zacha Trade? Two teams reportedly monitoring Zacha are the Vancouver Canucks and the Utah Hockey Club. Both teams are seeking top-six forward depth and would value Zacha’s steady offensive contributions. The Canucks have been busy all summer, signing and trading players. They have also been linked to Jack Roslovic talks in free agency, meaning they wouldn’t be adding both. Utah has been looking to make a splash this season and work their way up the standings in an attempt to compete for the playoffs. The Bruins would likely demand a notable return, but neither team is looking to send players back. The trade would likely involve a high pick or a mid-tier prospect. Zacha controls part of the process with an eight-team no-trade list. He’s owed just $3.75 million in actual salary each of the next two seasons, further boosting his trade appeal.