NBA Draft/Trades/Free Agency

After working out for Utah, seven-foot prospect Thon Maker has workouts lined up with the Hawks (Friday), Pistons, and Pacers, a source tells Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv (Twitter link). Maker has received some first-round buzz following a recent audition in New York City.

He's the guy that interest me if the Hawks stay where they are. YES it's going to take him a while, but late in the draft he dose have high upside. Offensively and defensively. He's raw, but has the skill set and athleticism to make him worth the wait.

Maker is one of the more interesting prospects in the Draft pool. He will be the first player to make the jump from straight out of high school in 11 years.

Not since the league instituted a rule in the 2005 Collective Bargaining Agreement that U.S. players be at least 19 and one year removed from the graduation of their high school class, has a player made the leap from preps to the NBA. But Maker's case was open to interpretation.

He turned 19 in February and argued he actually earned his high school diploma in 2015, even though he spent a fifth year at Athlete Institute Prep in Mono, Ontario, about 90 minutes from Toronto.

The league ruled him eligible about a month before the Draft Combine. The hype surrounding him over the last couple of years has cooled substantially. DraftExpress.com has him at Pick No. 40 in their latest mock draft and writes that he has struggled to separate himself from other prospects in many of the events he has appeared at.

At best he is a high-upside work in progress. The question for a lot of teams may be, can he develop fast enough to warrant picking him?

His competitiveness, physicality and intensity level are impressive for a 7-footer with a 9'3 standing reach, and the fact that he's been able to add some bulk to his upper body and can knock down an open 3-pointer at times bodes well for his role-playing potential. So will his work ethic and strong character. Still, his lack of offensive polish, pencil thin legs, average feel for the game and explosiveness suggest that may be the extent of his long-term upside. And considering how big the jump is from high school basketball to the NBA, it will likely take years to achieve that, which some teams may feel is not worth the time or effort it will require.

Peachtreehoops.com^^^

Very interesting tweet I read today on Atl Hawks Nation.....

He suggested JT and the Hawks 21rst pick to the 76ers for JaHil Okafor....

Would you guys be interested in that?

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Originally Posted by SB75

Very interesting tweet I read today on Atl Hawks Nation.....

He suggested JT and the Hawks 21rst pick to the 76ers for JaHil Okafor....

Would you guys be interested in that?

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I would.

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Originally Posted by M.I.A.

I would.

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I would do it, however that would seem like an indication that they are moving on from Al. Let's be honest Al, Milsap, nor JaHil would be happy coming off the bench.

I'm for trading Teague. I'm also for trading Korver. We need much better production from the back court than we got this past year.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by M.I.A.

I'm for trading Teague. I'm also for trading Korver. We need much better production from the back court than we got this past year.

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I agree, we could use the cap space.

I've been hearing the KD to Atl for the last week or so, I dismissed as just something a fan wished. However today comes the rumor that Al Horford is on a short list of players KD really wants to play with.

I'd love it! However, would it be in OKC or Atl? OKC may have the advantage folks. They already have Billy Donavan and Westbrook.

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Originally Posted by SB75

I've been hearing the KD to Atl for the last week or so, I dismissed as just something a fan wished. However today comes the rumor that Al Horford is on a short list of players KD really wants to play with.

I'd love it! However, would it be in OKC or Atl? OKC may have the advantage folks. They already have Billy Donavan and Westbrook.

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Where did you see this? Hard to believe he would want to play in Atl

I read it on Atl Hawks nation Twitter yesterday. There is also an article on bleacher report and hoops rumors today about them making a run at him.

http://nba.nbcsports.com/2016/06/01/...medium=twitter

Good article. I would have to think Durant would rather go to SA, Golden State or back to OKC. We only have a very slim shot at him realistically. But wouldn't it be grand? Yes, it would!

Here's is some news that should make MIA happy. Al Horfords cap # is only 12 mil plus 7% according to the CBA. That's 12,840,000, I think...... So the Hawks can sign s player to a max deal if they can make a little wiggle room by trading Jeff and signing KD or any other max player before resigning Al.

My suggestion.... Trade Jeff to the Jazz (they've already shown interest) for #12 pick, right to swap in 18' and Sheldon Mack. We would have a backup who already knows our system. Draft Ski and send him to the D league.

Teague for Noel rumor heating up. I like it.

5:00pm: The Hawks and the Sixers are discussing a trade that would involve point guard Jeff Teague going to Philadelphia and big man Nerlens Noel heading to Atlanta, Shams Charania of The Vertical reports (Twitter link). It’s unclear how far along the talks are, or what other pieces are involved, though any deal would likely be completed prior to the NBA Draft on June 23rd, though that is merely my speculation.