TRW

Dear Hawksquawkers, I'm a frustrated Atlanta sports fan, so forgive me for my ramblings. I might need a break from this sports things but I'm tired of listening and watching these so called media experts talk about stuff they claim they know and them manipulating situations(flat out lying). Example #1: Kevin Durant reportedly wants to get traded and he has a list of 5 to 7 teams he would like to get traded to. Surely KD can get out any message he wants at anytime but if KD doesn't like the media (he doesn't IMO) why would he give them his list of teams? I know it was probably reported by his business partner and/or maybe even Brooklyn. Surely Miami and Phoenix are two of those teams but who else is/was really on that list and why are the BSPN and Foxes of the world not covering those other teams. Example #2: NBA people say John Collins isn't worthy of being traded for a high 1st Round pick but an unknown NBA person today said trading Duncan Robinson could get Miami and unprotected 1st Round pick. So Duncan Robinson is better than John Collins or is it just because Collins plays for the Hawks and Robinson plays for Miami. Example #3: One NBA expert says Miami is offering Herro, Robinson, and numerous 1st Round picks for KD and some people actually believe this is good value, but if the Hawks were rumored to send Collins, Capela or OO with numerous 1st Round picks it would be consider bad value. I can see Pat Riley getting KD in a trade but it's going to take Bam and many more assets, and them probably taking back Ben Simmons also in return. Example #4: Trae gets elected to start in his first all-star game. The media says it's not right because he shouldn't be starting. The man averaged d@@n near 30 ppg and 10 assists. The main complaint was he didn't deserve it because he was playing on a losing team. Stephen A. said his stats didn't mean anything. Fast forward to next season, Trae gets snubbed but Bradley Beal gets the starting all-star spot and nothing is said about it. The Wizards were terrible. What I'm getting at is this: I'm fed up with the media underrating our players when they're on our team but giving them props when they're traded to other teams. Trae Young is a stud but he gets disrespected because he is an Atlanta Hawk. If Trae was playing for the Golden St. Warriors or the Knicks he wouldn't be getting this hate. What has Luka and Ja done that supersedes what Trae Young has done. Absolutely nothing. They are just as bad on defense as Trae but you won't here too many media people say that about them while it's a constant when Trae's name is brought up or mentioned. Hopefully one day we'll get back to true journalism rather than this media me first stuff that thrives on throwing sheesh against the wall into it actually sticks.

Staying healthy and being able to make shots from the perimeter are my main two concerns. I also think we need one more big, powerful. Maybe not if JJ or old Mo can revive his career.

Could Markieff Morris be a possibility? Would he take a minimum deal? He would add toughness and some outside shooting at the 4. I'm not sure what he would bring defensively and as a rebounder but I think he would fit perfectly.

This is great news. Kyle Korver is a great man and I'm glad to see him back with the franchise. Kyle gave free tickets to an organization that I used to work for and he was all about helping underprivileged kids in the community. His Kyle Korver foundation was a big part of this city. I still have one of the shirts he gave us.

I simply don't understand this affinity for Ben Simmons. Ben is a great talent but he comes with two many issues. The back concerns, his mental, and his long lay-off are real issues. Trading for him now when we just added Dejounte just doesn't make any sense. Yes, I know the game is becoming positionless but you will not win the Chip these days with just defense and multiple ball handers. Shooting (having the necessary spacing) is also very important. Lastly, I think we have a player very similar to Ben Simmons already on our roster. His last name is Johnson and Nate needs to take off the handcuffs. Jalen will only get better with playing time and he's a jump shot away from being really special.

This definitely won't happen but my problem is the audacity of these writers to always try to fleece us in these ridiculous trades. They are like, it's the Hawks, they'll just take anything back in trades. It's laughable. Lee Tran from Fadeaway World proposed a blockbuster 4 team trade idea that would send KD to Phoenix, Donovan Mitchell to Brooklyn, Ben Simmons to Atlanta, and Deandre Ayton to Utah. We Receive: Ben Simmons, 2024 2nd Round pick(Phoenix), 2025 2nd Round pick(Utah). Phoenix Receives: KD, 2028 1st Round pick swap with Utah(Favoring Utah), 2023 2nd Round pick(Atlanta) Brooklyn Receives: Donovan Mitchell, John Collins, Mikal Bridges, Deandre Hunter, Onyeka Okongwu, 2025 1st Round pick(Phoenix), 2029 1st Round pick(Phoenix) Utah Receives: Deandre Ayton, Cam Johnson, Day'Ron Sharpe, 2023 1st Round pick(Phoenix), 2028 First Round pick swap with Phoenix (favoring Utah), 2029 1st Round pick(Atlanta). So we trade John Collins, Deandre Hunter, Onyeka Okongwu, a 2029 1st Round pick, and a 2023 2nd Round pick for Ben Simmons and two 2nd Round picks. Just ludicrous! I like Ben Simmons but not that much. SMH.

Well that eliminates half of the teams in the league. The team with at least 2 Allstars: Atlanta, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Miami, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Toronto, Golden St., Clips, Lakers, New Orleans, Phoenix, and Denver. Memphis doesn't have 2 Allstars but a lot of good depth and Dallas only has Luka.

I like Ben Simmons but the back concerns, the almost 2 year layoff, and his mental is really a problem. We don't need our Atlanta Hawks to become the LeBron/Clutch Hawks. We don't want them trying to control us like they control the Lakers. If we get Simmons then getting Murray wasn't necessary. Although Simmons playing Center is intriguing, it's not worth the gamble. We have to find another shooter preferably at Power Forward if we keep John or two if John is traded.

I believe we all need to relax. Free agency hasn't really started yet. We will find quality pieces after the stars get their money. The buyout market and the cuts will be our time to pounce. We really missed out on DiVincenzo. He may have had bigger offers but just couldn't pass up taking less and playing for the champs.

Last night I heard Utah was that third team to help facilitate the KD trade to Phoenix. Utah would send Patrick Beverly and some of those picks they received from the Gobert trade to Phoenix for DeAndre Ayton. Then Phoenix would send Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Pat Beverly and at least four or five of those 1st round picks to Brooklyn for KD. Other players would be involved but I don't know the names. Brian Windhorst was talking about something to watch for after Utah surprisingly traded Royce O'Neal to Brooklyn for a 1st round pick.

I thought our goal was to win a chip. If that is still the case we have to be all in. Kevin Durant has to be the focus until he tells us he's not coming. We should focus on Ayton, Simmons, or whoever else after the KD situation is resolved. The goal is the chip and the future is always now.

Justin Holiday's average was very close to what Kevin averaged per game if I'm not mistaken. Of course Kevin is a better shooter but Justin is a better defender. I think Justin shot 37% from the three. The first round pick was really the thing that put us over in this trade, IMO.

I hate to see the "Red Mamba" go. The trade isn't that bad for me because I knew Bogi or him had to be moved after the acquisition of Murray. Justin Holiday played well last year and is a good defender. My only concern like someone said earlier is the perimeter shooting. I hope the "Red Mamba" does well except for when he plays us. Keep up the good work, Tony, Travis, and Landry.

Thanks for the update Sothron. Please keep working your sources.

Trae, let's go get KD. He is our best chance at getting that chip. Dejounte Murray is "a" piece but KD is "the" piece. Tony, Travis, Landry, and Trae get it done already.

Supes, I only call him my cousin because DeAndre and my maternal grandmother share the same last name. I've only heard of Bembrys in the Georgia, Michigan, and Philly/Jersey areas. The funny thing is we might really be related.

Who says no besides Toronto and Supes? Collins, OO, and Huerter or Bogi for Siakim Capela for Ayton sign and trade Resign Delon Wright and bring in an enforcer who won't play much and won't take sheesh from anybody, a guy with a couple of screws loose. The only problem I see would be the yearly tax issue, even though cap will increase tremendously within the next 3 to 4 years. Dejounte Murray and Pascal Siakim would both be unrestricted free agents in 2024.

Guys I know this won't happen but tell me what you think: Collins, OO, and Huerter or Bogi for Siakim Capela for Ayton sign and trade The only downside for me if this did happen would be that Siakim and Murray would both be unrestricted free agents in the same off-season. Personally, I would keep the same team we have now but Woj. said we're not finished.

I said I was going to make 10 million next year. That probably won't happen. I love me some OO but playing him at power forward would be like trying to fit a dump truck into an old pinto. It's not happening, at least not right now.

I will really miss Danilo Gallinari if we release him today. I'll never forget when he came out with that Mohawk haircut at the beginning of the playoffs, that Boston game were he couldn't miss, that big time throw down dunk when everybody on the team didn't think he could dunk anymore and John Collins giving him that hand sign after Gallo hits a three. It has been fun my friend.

This morning the "Big Guy" Brian Windhorst said the Knicks could get Murray in a sign and trade with Dallas and then use their cap space to bring in Brunson. I think that's where he's headed unfortunately. The media and BSPN are pushing the hype machine for this trade), they will do all they can to stop him from coming here. But it doesn't make sense in my opinion. Brunson at the point, Murray at the 2, and Barrett at the three. They would have no legitimate perimeter shooter in their lineup, but that's the Knicks though.

Thanks Sothron! The first thing I thought was DeAndre must still be in play and that Trae was told to run interference with Murray while we (the Hawks) ran interference with the Collins trade rumors so we could focus on LaVine and Ayton because too many leaks are getting out. I need to stick to my day job and stop all this fantasizing. I'm still excited about what is or not going to happen. Go Hawks!

Sorry, Sothron, just got out of the shower. Like I said, it could be something and it could be nothing. It was a 20 second YouTube video with the Capela #15 Bulls jersey. The kid believed it was an accident. Capela, Bogi, and Griffin for Zach Lavine in a sign and trade. The YouTube subject title is Zach LaVine to the Hawks??#shorts You never know with this stuff. I'm no insider so I asked would you and the insiders on this board look into it, even if it sounds utterly ridiculous.

Thanks for the wise words.

Will any of the insiders respond to the question I posted about 50 minutes ago? Some Chicago Bulls fan said he saw a Clint Capela jersey in their bookstore and suggested that maybe a sign and trade was happening with Capela, Bogi, and Griffin for Zach Lavine.