Hawks general manager Landry Fields said that parting ways with two veterans was tough, but he believes the team is in a better position for both this season and the future.
On Thursday, the Hawks traded De’Andre Hunter to the Cleveland Cavaliers and guard Bogdan Bogdanovic to the Los Angeles Clippers.
“A lot of times it comes down to discerning, not necessarily between good and bad, but good and better,” Fields said. “De’Andre is having a very good year, but with what I discern to be where we’re at and ultimately, where we want to go, you have to make certain decisions and certain transactions that are challenging.”
In return, the Hawks received Caris LeVert and Georges Niang from the Cavs, along with three second-round picks, and guard Terance Mann from the Clippers.
Fields explained that the move was made for “guys and players that we really enjoy and we’re excited about, and also just the asset package, things that are going to help us continue to move.”
Some people in the league were critical of the Hawks’ decisions, including Charles Barkley, who said Hunter was Atlanta’s second-best player after Trae Young. In his sixth season, Hunter is averaging a career-high 19.0 points and shooting a career-best 39.3% from 3-point range.
“I have no idea what the hell the Atlanta Hawks are doing,” Barkley said on TNT’s “Inside the NBA.”
Before their game against Milwaukee on Friday, the Hawks had lost nine of their last 10 games, putting them at ninth in the Eastern Conference. Jalen Johnson is out for the season, but Fields said this did not change his approach at the deadline.
Caris LeVert grabs a rebound in the 2nd half“Our objectives remained the same,” Fields said. “How do we acquire talent with Hawks DNA? How do we continue to add to our assets and play winning basketball and competitive basketball? Nothing changed our calculus with that.”
While Hunter has been playing well, Bogdanovic has struggled this season, averaging a career-low 10.0 points and shooting a career-worst 30.1% from 3-point range.
Hawks coach Quin Snyder said the new players could help in different ways.
“(Niang’s) shooting is something I think that is a need for us, and that’s what he’s done for a long time,” Snyder said. “Caris has the ability to create both for himself and other guys. That’s valuable to a team. … In Terance’s case, versatility is something that you’ve seen for years — his ability to guard multiple positions, knock down shots and compete on both ends of the floor.”
Fields emphasized that he will continue to adjust and improve the team regardless of the current record.
“Ultimately, it’s not about just one season,” Fields said. “We’re here to build a championship-caliber roster, and not just for a year, but for years to come. So when we have opportunities at the deadline, part of our job is making sure we’re setting the right objectives.”
