NBA Trade Rumors: Hawks Move In Different Direction, Drummond Plans Shelved

KEY POINTS

Hawks are no longer pursuing Andre Drummond of the Detroit Pistons
Atlanta has its eyes set on Steven Adams
Hawks are looking for a player who can play well with Trae Young

The Atlanta Hawks were one of the mentioned teams interested in getting Andre Drummond of the Detroit Pistons. But it appears plans have changed with reports that the Hawks are no longer in pursuit. Further, it appears they have a new target in mind and he is Steven Adams of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

It was Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports who first linked the Hawks to Drummond. But in a most recent update from Sporting News, it seems Atlanta has had a change of heart and is considering other big men available in the market before the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 6.

Interest in Adams could make sense for the spiraling Hawks. Aware that Trae Young needs someone who can do the dirty work inside, the 26-year-old center is a good role player compliment to Young. According to Basketball-Reference.com, Adams is averaging 11.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 blocks in 38 games.

However, the Hawks need to come up with the right mix of players to accommodate the 6-foot-11 cager. This season, Adams is owed $25.8 million and $27.5 million next NBA season. He will become an unrestricted free agent in 2021, as per Spotrac.

For the Hawks to get a trade done, they may dangle players on their end with expiring deals. The list includes Chandler Parsons and Evan Turner. To sweeten the pot, Atlanta could include a first-round pick they own which they acquired from the Brooklyn Nets or one of their own selections.

With a 9-32 win-loss record in the NBA Eastern Conference, the Hawks could also pass up getting a big man for now and wait until the summer. By then, they could revisit the possibility of acquiring Drummond if he is still available. The reality of it all is that even though the 26-year-old center prefers to stay in the Motor City, changes need to be made. Both he and Blake Griffin could be on the way out with the Pistons performing badly this 2019-20 NBA season.

The Pistons are 15-27 in the East as of this writing and have a shot at advancing to the NBA playoffs. But even if they do, they are likely to face a top-seeded team (either the Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat or Boston Celtics) with odds stacked up against them.