Should Hawks Purse This Former MVP During the Offseason?
The Atlanta Hawks have been in desperate need of a star player to pair with superstar Trae Young. Since entering the league in 2018, Young and the Hawks have made the playoffs three times. Out of those three appearances, they only made it past the first-round once in 2021, losing in the Eastern Conference Finals to the Milwaukee Bucks. A big reason for the lack of consistent success is the team has failed to bring in another star alongside Young.
The Hawks have swung and missed on other trades, signings, and draft picks since making Young their franchise player. Former three-time Sixth Man of the Year, Lou Williams, was traded to Atlanta in March 2021. The backcourt pair of he and Young saw minor success with one deep playoff run. Williams was nearing the end of his career around the time of the trade and announced his retirement in 2023. Center Clint Capela was traded in 2020 after recording multiple double-double seasons with the Houston Rockets. Through four years in Atlanta, Capela has averaged 12.4 points, 11.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. His overall numbers have declined the past few seasons, and the team has been in talks to trade the veteran center. Another player brought in was star guard Dejounte Murray from the San Antonio Spurs. Murray is known for his great defense along the perimeter with a long wingspan. He is also a versatile scorer on the offensive side. Murray and Young never developed chemistry on the court together being that both guards are ball dominant and struggle playing off the ball. The attempt with Murray lasted two seasons before he was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in 2024.
Recent headlines around the NBA have been the lack of availability of Philadelphia 76ers center, Joel Embiid. Embiid constantly misses games and playoff series with a long list of nagging knee injuries. He won MVP in 2023 and every season is in the conversation to win the award as a top player in the league. The 76ers organization has been all-in on his skillset and recovery, but the failed team success has fans and media contemplating whether the team will move on from him over the offseason. The team has never reached a Conference Finals with Embiid, and their chances to make the playoffs this season are not likely. They’ve had a disastrous season, currently sitting at 21-38, 11th in the Eastern Conference. To make matters worse, Philadelphia recently announced they are shutting down Embiid and he will miss the remainder of this year with the same lingering knee injury. The extent of the injury has not been released but he will possibly need another knee procedure.
The Atlanta Hawks have a need for a dominant center, and Embiid would be the perfect fit to pair with Young’s playstyle. Trading for Embiid would be a commitment for any team, but the reward would be worth taking the risk. Embiid can no longer be the number one option on a title contender given his age and health. He can come in as a second or third option behind Young and up-and-coming star,Jalen Johnson. Embiid would excel in the Hawks’ system with his ability to play off pick-and-rolls with Young while also having the ability to space the floor with efficient perimeter shooting as a big man. Embiid has averaged 27.7 points, 11.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game throughout his career, but he has also missed over 400 games. The Hawks have been rumored to possibly be in the market for the veteran center if the 76ers open the phone lines to listen to trade offers. If healthy, making the call for Embiid is crucial for Atlanta, as they are in desperation mode for a deep playoff run. Young has voiced his frustrations of Atlanta not properly building a championship contending team, so his patience with the team is nearing an end. Bringing in the former MVP would present a lot of new hope for Hawks fans and Young to possibly allow the star guard to remain in Atlanta.
