NBA Rumors: Atlanta Hawks ?s = Philadelphia 76ers Answers

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Apr 13, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) dribbles the ball against Philadelphia 76ers forward Jerami Grant (39) during the fist quarter at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

Ask, And It Will Be Granted

The Philadelphia 76ers are a young team, but one with players who could excel on the Atlanta Hawks roster. Jerami Grant is a defensive standout, and his acumen for disrupting the opposing team shots would be an incredible plus for the Hawks. Just 22 years old with just completing his second year, his blocks per game would place him second in that regard on the Atlanta Hawks roster, just behind Paul Milsap.

The Atlanta Hawks worst nemesis is LeBron James, and they had hoped that the tandem of small forwards Kent Bazemore‘s offensive outpouring paired with Thabo Sefolosha‘s defensive prowess would keep James off balance just enough to turn the tide in the series. James instead averaged 24.3 points per game and 42.1% accuracy from three points.

While Grant has never developed a deadly three pointer, he has improved his shooting from the floor to 41.9% and his 4.7 rebounds per game would slot at fourth on the Hawks roster. Grant’s 26.8 minutes per game average are nearly an identical replacement for Hawk small forward Thabo Sefolosha. Packaged with a late first round pick (where the Hawk’s can select one of any number of point guard prospects to play behind Schroder), this type of a deal would be quite intriguing. The upside is that Grant has not played on a balanced team the likes of the Atlanta Hawks. By mid-season, he should be fully acclimated to his role on their well disciplined team, and that structure will only accelerate his development.

More from The Sixer Sense

Could the Philadelphia 76ers use Jeff Teague? Well the Sixers will be in the market for a point guard, unless they have a change of heart and retain Ish Smith. Teague brings a better trey , shooting 40% on his perimeter shot, with just 33.6% from Smith. Teague also brings something the Philadelphia 76ers will need – NBA playoff experience. Teague also tends to have a better sense of shot selection: despite shooting 2.3 fewer shots per game than Smith, Teague actually averaged a full point per game better per average.

Now the remaining piece. What is fair compensation for a deal of this nature? Straight up, there is no deal here. Teague, a seven year veteran of the Atlanta Hawks, has been competitive if not outstanding, for four consecutive years with the Atlanta Hawks. But the upside of Jerami Grant is hard to project with tight accuracy, and right now the difference in quality is noticeable. When the team chased Atlanta Hawk’s reserve point guard Dennis Schroder, the Hawks were giving a smorgasbord of value to consider the trade: Philadelphia reportedly offered Nik Stauskas, Ish Smith and one of the team’s three potential first-round picks in the 2016 NBA Draft, but it still wasn’t enough to get Atlanta to bite.

In this scenario, with a clear and definable need on the Hawks roster, I believe that offer should be modified for two reasons. It’s clear that Schroder, not Teague, is the more valued player by both teams – ergo, any trade package for Jeff Teague should offer less as a result. Previously, the incentive to deal was all on the Sixers, who were clearly forced to present a high premium to even gain and audience with the Hawks. In this deal, I believe it should be the Hawks who approach the Sixers with a “Teague for your best offer” scenario. In that instance, the Sixers will no longer have rights to Ish Smith, but could package Stauskas, Grant and a late first round pick to make it happen.

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