Trae Young NBA Oklahoma
NBA Draft Prospect Trae Young speaks to the media before the 2018 NBA Draft at the Grand Hyatt New York Grand Central Terminal on June 20, 2018 in New York City. Mike Lawrie/Getty Images

KEY POINTS

  • The Atlanta Hawks are said to be interested in OKC Thunder big man Steven Adams
  • The Hawks have the salary cap space to inject Adams next NBA season
  • Trae Young needs help and the Hawks promised to add reliable players soon

The Atlanta Hawks own the worst record in the NBA Eastern Conference and some players are growing frustrated. And while it would take a major miracle to turn things around for the 2019-20 NBA season, the best the Hawks can do is to start mapping out plans for next season.

Atlanta could get a big boost by filling up the middle. Trae Young is living up to expectations but has not gotten support. The 5th overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft is averaging 29.0 points and 4.0 assists thus far, numbers that are going for naught. Aware that Young is growing frustrated, the Hawks are reportedly getting some help soon, The Athletic reported.

A position where the Hawks could improve on is the center slot. They do have Alex Len and Damian Jones in the middle but both have hardly provided Young the needed support. A player that Atlanta is reportedly interested in is Steven Adams of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

According to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, Adams is someone being discussed per league sources. However, Atlanta needs to find a way to make room for his salary. The 26-year-old is due to make $27.1 million in the final year of his current contract in the 2020-21 NBA season. Looking at the players who have expiring contracts, the Hawks could be in the clear by the summer.

Several players will be hitting free agency for the Hawks after the current season. The list includes Chandler Parsons, Allan Crabbe, Vince Carter and Len. Atlanta will have more than $75 million in cap space and can easily accommodate Adams. But will the Thunder entertain such a move?

For Oklahoma City, it would have implications on their salary cap budget. They are already over by $55.7 million for next season so dealing away Adams could be an option. Adams is averaging 11.1 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, numbers that may not be catchy. But the thing here is that the 6-foot-11 is more of a defender and a role player. His efforts could boost the Hawks campaign, providing Young the needed help at the defensive end.

RELATED STORIES
Basketball NBA