The Hawks make a trade, but it’s not the trade they needed
Kirk Hinrich: He's a solid pro, not a savior. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
The Hawks needed to make a trade in the worst way, and the trade they made wasn’t the worst ever. It was OK. Not great, not awful. Just OK.
They shipped Mike Bibby, who was too old and not really a point guard anymore and imported Kirk Hinrich, who’s a good player but who hasn’t been exclusively a point guard himself. They shed Mo Evans, who was expendable, and Jordan Crawford, about whose promise they’d raved only last summer, and acquired Hilton Armstrong, who’s averaging 1.9 points and 2.8 rebounds.
Best-case scenario: Hinrich does his hybrid-guard act — he used to be quite good at it, but his numbers haven’t been anything special the past four seasons — and puts the other Hawks in the right position and this team manages to win a first-round series.
Worst-case scenario: Hinrich fails to mesh with Joe Johnson — say what you want about Bibby, but he and Johnson made a nice tandem — and the Hawks, who have bombed out in Round 2 the past two seasons, bomb out in Round 1 this spring.
Either way, the addition of Hinrich and Armstrong is no cause for re-calibration of this team’s ceiling. The Hawks aren’t much different today than they’ve been for the past three years. They’re a pretty good team in an Eastern Conference that keeps getting more competitive at the top.
If the notion was to find a galvanizing talent at this deadline, they failed. The man that would have remade the local club just got traded to New Jersey, and he was, fittingly enough, one of the two famous men on whom general manager Billy Knight passed to draft Marvin Williams in 2005. Utah moved to trade Deron Williams, and the Hawks apparently weren’t in the bidding. (Deron Williams was picked one spot ahead of Chris Paul, and the two have long ranked, to the Hawks’ lasting chagrin, among the NBA’s five best point guards.)
Instead the Hawks landed Hinrich, who’s a solid pro but not an All-Star, and Armstrong, who’s a younger Jason Collins. And it’s clear the Hawks were the desperate party here: Why else trade three players for two and throw in a first-round pick to boot? That’s a high price to pay for a hybrid guard who was made superfluous in Chicago by Derrick Rose and who isn’t needed in Washington because of John Wall.
Say this, though, for Rick Sund: At least he did something. At least he acknowledged what had become blatant: This team as constituted had reached its peak and was on the descent. It hasn’t fallen to pieces yet — it’s still fifth in the East — and it’s surely too talent to collapse utterly, but the talent that had been compiled and nurtured by both Knight and Sund has topped out. It needs something else, even if the something else is little more than change for change’s sake.
Two NBA teams had had the same starting lineup since February 2008: One is the Celtics, who’ve won a title and graced another NBA final; the other was the Hawks, who hadn’t managed to win a game beyond the first round. Bibby was the last of that starting five to arrive — he came by way of a February deal with Sacramento — and he wasn’t the Bibby of old at any time in his Atlanta stay. But he was a solid pro who knew how to play, and without him these Hawks might never have made the playoffs at all.
Now he’s gone, and it was past time for him to leave. This trade is probably enough to keep the Hawks ahead of the Knicks in the East, probably not enough to elevate them above Orlando for fourth place. It gives them hope in the sense that something has been done, but the right something again eluded this franchise. Deron Williams, the guy they needed back in 2005 and needed today, got traded on Wednesday, and it wasn’t to the Hawks.
By Mark Bradley
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272 comments Add your comment
max money
February 24th, 2011
9:30 am
to keep jj happy, maybe the hawks can give him even more money, maybe up to $30 million per season. He’s good.
JSS
February 24th, 2011
9:34 am
“The pick” has a cap consideration in relation to 2011-2012. The Hawks “saved” that amount regardless of the CBA… Equalization should not be confused with making the trade work with the Cap… Sorry if it sounds like I was saying otherwise… Crawford was $1.1 million + say an equal selection = $2.1-$2.4 million…
Bizzaroneck
February 24th, 2011
9:35 am
I don’t know I think this could be a good move for the Hawks. I hate giving up a first round pick but we desperately needed someone that can defend on the perimeter. Hienrich can annoy Wade and Rondo, so they don’t slice through our defense. Bibby was atrocious on D as is Jamal. I still don’t think we get past the 2nd round but we will be a tougher out and more exciting to watch.
KevinM
February 24th, 2011
9:43 am
Hawks are 3-7 when Joe scores 12 or less….NBA TV letting us know that that is a big problem in Atlanta.
The Real JC
February 24th, 2011
9:48 am
Just once, I’d like to be involved in a trade deadline trade that gets covered in papers other than the AJC and the local paper of the place we’re trading with.
Kane337
February 24th, 2011
9:51 am
Hopefully the defense will improve with this trade. I got tired of seeing Bibby get beat by a dribbler driving to the basket where either Horford or JSmith had to bail him out.
JSS
February 24th, 2011
9:52 am
“Lastly, you now bore me, so please have the last word between us, little one.”
I guess all of that ranting made you forget the difference between a “Bath” and to “bathing” or to “Bathe?”
How’s the satellite connection in the bunker in the Chattahoochee National Reserve? Still publishing that Birthers newsletter?
Go crawl back to Ledbetter… Like Clarence Thomas, he loves baying for your acceptance, backhanded compliments and insults….
KevinM
February 24th, 2011
9:56 am
It was not bad pick
February 24th, 2011
9:26 am
Nice trade but Pg is not Hawks problem”
I don’t believe I have heard anyone else present that observation since the great Billy Knight turned in his resignation.
The Hawks problems are not isolated to the PG, but it is definitely an ongoing problem Who do you think leads the team on the court, into the 1/2 court? Bibby was only ranked 41st out of 32 teams….is that possible to hold a starting position ranked that low?
How about Marvin Williams? Where does he rank? Did you see his numbers last night? 1-7 2pts in 29min….did you see his defense? How many times did he look around and see someone grabbing an offensive rebound?
If Slick Rick can move Marvin before the 3pm deadline…is it 3 or 4 Mark?….its 3 by the way…NBATV has a special at 2..that will be a coup of epic proportions….we can then move forward and find assets that match their output.
Like the housing crunch, we are upside down with Marvin and we may never break even going forward.
ladyhawk
February 24th, 2011
9:58 am
I think this was a good trade for the Hawks.I believe Hinrich is a upgrade over Bibby on both ends of the floor.As much as i love Bibby his lack of defense has killed us on dribble penetration.Hinrich is known as a hard nosed defender that can defend both guard positions.He wont hurt the team on offense either.I also believe that Armstrong will add depth to the front court,and is a upgrade over the incumbent Zaza and the slow immobile Collins.And with Evans gone,Wilkins will get a chance to prove that he can still play in this league.Overall i think this trade will open up other doors for the Hawks and will make us a better team.Im keeping my fingers crossed though.
Jim
February 24th, 2011
9:59 am
I am just glad I don’t have to watch Bibby jack up another 3 pt shot. The only point guard that does not go inside the three point line period. I don’t care who they picked up, has to better than Bibby.
O'Brien
February 24th, 2011
10:04 am
ZaZa Pachulia was held out of the game last night beucase of trade discussions. But he has 2 years, $10 mil left on his deal, and the Hawks have no first round picks to offer until 2013 (you can’t trade consecutive first round picks). So I dont know who would want ZaZa.
MArk,
GT lost again last night (at home) to VA. They are 3-10 in the ACC. I think even if they win the ACC tournament, Hewitt is gone regardless…
Mark Bradley
February 24th, 2011
10:09 am
I attended the game, O’Brien.
It was not bad pick
February 24th, 2011
10:16 am
@KevinM
the Lakers just won a ring with Fisher starting at pg..Westbrook blew past him time and time again, but they have Gasol and bynum…we need a center..Look at the final 4 teams last year..Bos(Perkins)La(Bynum),Orlando(howard),PHX(Lopez)..We are too small, No way we advance in the playoffs without a center
JewelNelson
February 24th, 2011
10:16 am
Its ok to trade crawford and bibby for hinrich for to throw in mo evans was a mistake. MO EVANS SHOULD HAVE BEEN GETTING MORE MINUTES BECAUSE HE IS A GREAT SCORER WHEN GIVEN THE MINUTES. WHATEVER LACK OF SCORING PUNCH THAT THE HAWKS HAD, THEY WOULD HAVE GOTTEN IT FROM MO EVANS HAD MO EVANS BEEN GIVEN BIBBYS MINUTES. THE REST OF BIBBYS MINUTES SHOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO TEAGUE USING BIBBY AS A MENTOR TO TEAGUE. The hawks would have been better off not making this trade if they were going to lose mo evans by pulling the trigger. The Hawks are worse off now and will not make a playoff run.
peter
February 24th, 2011
10:18 am
the facts are that the Hawks moved two expiring contracts and a rookie who can shoot but was hopelessly lost on the floor (otherwise known as clueless dufess syndrone). Marvin is not tradeable and Josh’s stock is falling due to his immaturity. Everyone is locked up – contract wise – except Jamaal. Hinrich brings passion (something this team lacks), defense and a pretty good shot. Lets hope that Armstrong’s toughness can rub off on our bigs. Just have to wait and see but I believe we got better
smitty derf
February 24th, 2011
10:18 am
The Hawks are stuck between a rock and a hard place. They need to play Horford at the 4 spot with a serious center at 5. To do that they would have to play Josh Smith at 3 where he is a failure time after time cause he is no shooter and can’t handle the ball. Smith has to play 4 on offense and 3 on defense he can do but it takes him away from the lane where he is a good shot blocker and rebounder. Smith, as great an athlete as he is , has to go for a Carmello type player and a center. This means losing fans and really having to rebuild the team. tough choices
Najeh Davenpoop
February 24th, 2011
10:18 am
“So he can come back and roast the Hawks with his sweet jumper, strong driving skills and monster post game that the hawks refuse to unleash…”
Thanks, I needed the laugh this morning.
elroy
February 24th, 2011
10:22 am
the ajc should trade bradley, ledbetter & rodney ho for a columnist to be named later. You guys suck!
baller
February 24th, 2011
10:24 am
what they got was someone that can beat the crap out of Rondo in a 7 game series….could prove brilliant if they face the Celtics in the playoffs
Wolfman
February 24th, 2011
10:25 am
Drew II Who?
JSS
February 24th, 2011
10:27 am
@ O’Brien…
I asked last night, do the Hawks finally use the Trade exception that they acquired in the Childress deal in relation to any deal with ZaZa? Isn’t something like $3.6 million?
WHO CARES
February 24th, 2011
10:39 am
DO WE STILL HAVE AN NBA TEAM? WHO OWNS IT? OH WAIT THEY
ARE STILL BATTLING IT OUT IN COURT. THIS FRANCHISE IS AND
ALWAYS HAS BEEN A DISGRACE TO THIS CITY. NO DIRECTION
NO CLUE. WHEN FRATELLO LEFT SO LEFT THE HAWKS. I WILL
GIVE YOU LENNY WILKENS BUT THEN THEY TRADED NIQUE
WHO WAS HAVING ONE OF HIS BEST SEASONS. NO PLAYERS WANT
TO PLAY HERE AND THIS FRANCHISE WILL NEVER EVER WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP
WITH THIS OWNERSHIP.
WHO CARES
February 24th, 2011
10:44 am
Mark,
Good article but can we please quit talking about Chris Paul. I know you were forced to
write this article because no one in his right mind would want to cover the Hawks on
their own. I have seen it all Tree Rollins, Charlie Kriss, Moses, Reggie Theus, Danny
Manning, the list goes on and on. When Turner sold the team it was over. Until we get
an OWNER not an ownership. The franchise is done
Puzzled
February 24th, 2011
10:47 am
It appears that this move was made to shake up the remaining cast of characters. Hinrich, I don’t think, adds much more to the Hawks than Bibby provided. He’s 30, Bibby is 33 in May (some here wanted Nash, who is 37).
The Hawks gave up too much for what they received in return. Bibby, Mo, and Crawford or round 1 pick, but not all four. Armstrong will join the Hawks weak bench, and see no playing time other than filler time at the end of blowouts like against the Lakers on Tuesdat.
They already have Collins, Powell, Thomas, and Zaza, now they ad Armstrong. I’m convinced he was a throw in that Washington insisted be a part of the trade. Otherwise it would have been Bibby, Mo, JC2, and the round 1 pick for Hinrich.
Hawks fornt office has to get better at talent evaluation, and make sure that the players they draft are developed. There’s no way that Marvin Williams should contribute as little as he does for where he was picked in the draft. Either he was poorly developed by the Hawks, or he was poorly evaluated by the Hawks.
JJ and JC1 have not performed well over the past few games. The Hawks have no bench at all. Mo was a good bench player last year, but just hasn’t been the same this year (maybe the injury). Outside of JC1, who on the bench is going to give them some productive playing time?
Puzzled
February 24th, 2011
10:56 am
@peter,
What two expiring contract are you referring to? Bibby is signed through next season, same as Hinrich. I just don’t see how the Hawks got a lot better, unless this moved shakes up the guys left behind (JJ, JC1, Josh, etc.)
Josh should spend the summer, (which will be longer than last, because the Hawks will be done in round 1 of the playoffs) shooting jumpers, since he wants to play on the perimeter.
JeJe
February 24th, 2011
10:58 am
Is Hinrich really hurt? I know he’s had a few minor injuries this year
Simple Jack
February 24th, 2011
11:08 am
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Vino25
February 24th, 2011
11:50 am
We have three all stars already all we needed was some body to run the team… Via Boston celtics
and give teague more time to develope good trade!!!!!! all we need is a center that can rebound and play defense and we good… Remember we gave up nothing we need right now for something we need right now.. paying four all stars and depth is expensive!!! we have three!!! already
B C
February 24th, 2011
11:53 am
The Hawks are a pathetic organization!!! Nice job Sund….what a bold move! You just gave away a veteran guard who, while he may be a defensive liability at this point in his career, is also one of the best 3 pt. shooters in the game, Mo Evans, and Jordan Crawford who was a first round pick, oh and let’s not forget a 2011 FIRST ROUND PICK…For a JOURNEYMAN guard!!!! What a joke! We may be worse!!!
B C
February 24th, 2011
11:56 am
Hey Vino, got news for you….Jeff Teague is NOT the answer. He is not an NBA starter!
MJC
February 24th, 2011
12:00 pm
The Hawks also gained a $1M trade exception.
B C
February 24th, 2011
12:02 pm
Could have had Paul, Williams, Rondo, but rest easy Hawks fans, our worries are over because we got KIRK HINRICH!!! I’m sure the rest of the league is shaking in its boots!!! Does this BRILLIANT move make the Hawks any better at all…..NO!!!
joey
February 24th, 2011
12:09 pm
per hoopsworld.com the hawks are trying a 2nd deal with marvin jamal possibly zaza with possibly utah for al jefferson or portland
Kane337
February 24th, 2011
12:11 pm
Centers are hard to find or they are always hurt (i.e Yau Ming, Greg Oden).
You have to be in the bed with the NBA like the Lakers and get a Pau Gasol for basically nothing.
joey
February 24th, 2011
12:19 pm
3
Shriveled Dick
February 24th, 2011
12:28 pm
I don’t think it is bad trade. We got rid of very marginal at best parts. Jordan Crawford has a lot of holes in his game. The first round pick would only be another space eater that is better used for a veteran that has proven a little something by still being in the league. Hinrick can help some. Armstrong is prayer.
DAVID LANE
February 24th, 2011
12:48 pm
Man I swear that this team did nothing to improve is completely insane to me. Just getting the s**t beat out of us every other game and to sit and do nothing. The most underachieving team in professional sports. The coach is soft, our so called superstar is soft and now the business end is the softest of all. Absolutely freakin unreal. Go Hawks.
Just SHOOT Me
February 24th, 2011
1:03 pm
Look – not the player I really wanted to get, but AT LEAST they did something. I mean think about it for a second: Hawks are 5-6 last 11 games and 8-14 against teams over .500. Those are some pathetic numbers. Something had to be done and fast! Hinrich does play defense which is a plus. The other guy we got in the deal is a nobody and will help about as much as Pape Sy does. So all in all it’s a start. There’s another 2 hours left before the deadline is over. Heres saying a prayer another move can be made.
Marvin
February 24th, 2011
1:19 pm
Good trade to at least address the point guard position. I felt that we needed a better defensive presence at that position. Anyone that feels that Josh Smith needs to be traded is a buffoon. He is the glue that has kept this team from playing .500 basketball to this point. Throughout all the injuries, what starter has been there through it all, giving excellent defensive play as well as offensive presence when it was least expected? Who is the ONE player that makes opponents think twice when entering the paint after Bibby’s matador defense allows it? What other player that you can trade for will bounce back and forth between power forward and small forward in one defensive set? I contend J-Smoove is the most important player in this current system. Horford is a very close second. Joe Johnson needs to become that matchup BEAST that we expect him to be instead of playing soft. He should be a 25 point scorer every night. Hawks’ weakness is their propensity to have bad offensive starts and having to spend energy playing catchup.
James Walsh
February 24th, 2011
1:24 pm
Wow. The negativity on here is unbelievable. This was an excellent trade for the hawks. We got someone to take Bibby, which is a win on its own. Bibby was a huge negative for our team. Mo Evans is at best average. Jordan Crawford barely even plays and the 2011 first rounder is worth next to nothing. The Lakers targeted Hinrich to take over for Fisher, so acting like Hinrich isn’t a valuable point guard is foolish. Our next trade needs to be for a big. This trade makes us better, but if anyone is serious about winning a championship, we need a true C. Someone has to be able to defend the paint, although it should be easier now without bibby’s man sprinting past him into the lane. Horford and Joe are good enough to be 2 of your “big three” players. Hinrich is good enough to be starter on a championship caliber team. I would like to see us trade for one more guard and one more true Center. We are a quality big man away from being a contender in my humble and worthless opinion.
Jack Nine Offsuit
February 24th, 2011
1:36 pm
Honestly, I don’t understand those who think this was a bad trade. Was it an earth-shattering, “turn the Hawks into title contenders” type of trade? No, definitely not. But the Hawks did get better. Hinrich will be MUCH better defensively than Bibby. Now the Hawks don’t have to base their whole defensive scheme around compensating for Bibby’s atrocious D. Offensively, “Hinrich for Bibby” is about a wash.
Plus, the Hawks gave up next to nothing: Bibby = defensive liabilities far outweigh any offensive contributions he makes. Evans = dime a dozen player, hundreds of other players just like him in league. Crawford = raw project at best, wasn’t going to play ahead of Johnson/Jamal Crawford. 1st round pick = mid to late at best, look at how little the Hawks have gotten from past #1 picks.
Hawks got better so good trade. But there’s a lot more to be done IF the goal is to be title contenders.
bro
February 24th, 2011
1:42 pm
NO ONE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND CARES IF THE HAWKS MAKE A TRADE OR NOT. THE POWERS THAT RUN THIS MESS-AND MESS IS THE RIGHT WORD-ARE REAL IDIOTS. YOU HAVE GOT TO SPEND TO GET TALENT AND MANAGEMENT DOES NOT KNOW TALENT WHEN THEY SEE IT-UNLESS IT IS ON ANOTHER TEAM. THE HAWKS ARE NOT EVEN A BETTER THAN AVERAGE PRO TEAM. DON’T WASTE YOUR MONEY ON A TICKET.
eazy
February 24th, 2011
1:43 pm
wonder what mcdavid is thinking now
Dr. Warren
February 24th, 2011
1:44 pm
Why wasn’t a Deron Williams trade attempted?? We know we aren’t getting any better than 50 wins, so why no shake it up a bit? I think Joe Johnson and Marvin and Bibby and Jordan Crawford for Williams would have been a great trade. Even if Williams left after next year then at least we’d be free of the JJ contract albatross.
TampaHawk
February 24th, 2011
1:48 pm
Good article, but he wasn’t brought in for scoring he was brought in because he can play defense, penetrate off the dribble and do more than stand and shoot 3’s. Even though the Hawks lost some depth their team won’t get as tired from chasing other teams point guards all over the court cause Bibby couldn’t keep up. You have to give something to get something, One draft pick and Jordan Crawford isn’t giving up the future. Not every trade needs to be a superstar.
coach phil
February 24th, 2011
2:11 pm
we should have traded rick sund and the whole cheap atlanta spirit. it takes money to make money. the spirit should know this. look at the braves.
Shawn
February 24th, 2011
2:12 pm
The Spirit group has proven that they are the typical Atlanta sports franchise owners who are only concerned about ownership instead of CHAMPIONSHIPS. I am a die ATL fan but how long can one stay interested in Atlanta sports when losing is the norm, and no owner is pushing hard to break this mediocre just get to the play off mentality! J.Crawford should be starting and M.Willian should on the bench. A true point guard with speed, leadership and SCORING skills and a real Center (hint, native son Dwight Howard and not a guard that can PLAY center) should be perused. I’m glad we’re wining games and I wish all players the best, but I can’t keep buying playoff tickets just to be crushed and embarrassed by the heckles of opposing fans, it is time to be the hecklers. Management is usually the make or break of any operation and as we can see the Hawks leadership has drained Atl’s SPIRIT!
Signed,
Still waiting to be EXCITED!
nique
February 24th, 2011
2:15 pm
For this long time fan, it’s becoming increasingly more difficult to care about the Hawks. Too many disappointments in play and front office moves.
Shawn
February 24th, 2011
2:15 pm
The Spirit group has proven that they are the typical Atlanta sports franchise owners who are only concerned about ownership instead of CHAMPIONSHIPS. I am a die hard ATL fan but how long can one stay interested in Atlanta sports when losing is the norm, and no owner is pushing hard to break this mediocre just get to the play off mentality! J.Crawford should be starting and M.Willian should on the bench. A true point guard with speed, leadership and SCORING skills and a real Center (hint, native son Dwight Howard and not a guard that can PLAY center) should be perused. I’m glad we’re wining games and I wish all players the best, but I can’t keep buying playoff tickets just to be crushed and embarrassed by the heckles of opposing fans, it is time to be the hecklers. Management is usually the make or break of any operation and as we can see the Hawks leadership has drained Atl’s SPIRIT!
Signed,
Still waiting to be EXCITED!