A Los Angeles Clippers team that is relatively handicapped in terms of assets made a couple of shrewd moves leading up to the trade deadline. However, owner Steve Balmer and general manager Trent Redden had one final deal to make to improve the team’s depth.
Trading away Bones Hyland and Terance Mann and three second-round picks, Los Angeles acquired Bogdan Bogdanović from the Atlanta Hawks. Tied to their two superstars, the move should help LA build up a deeper rotation, while the Hawks dive deeper into a rebuild. So, how did the trade fare for both sides?
Trade Grades for the Los Angeles Clippers and Atlanta Hawks
Los Angeles Clippers: B-
For most people, the Clippers were going to take a significant step backward with Kawhi Leonard injured to begin the year and Paul George not on the team anymore. However, thanks to consistency from James Harden and a Most Improved Player-caliber year from Norman Powell, they have managed to remain a playoff threat.
What has gone under the radar is the incredible defense of the team. They rank second in defensive rating — behind only the Oklahoma City Thunder — and have built their identity on that end.
While blockbuster deals continue to be made, smaller moves around the fringes can often make or break in today’s NBA. Last season, it was the Dallas Mavericks acquiring Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington that propelled them to an NBA Finals appearance. So, continuing to improve on the edges is essential in the long run.
As a result, trading for Bogdanović in place of both Mann and Hyland should be an upgrade. While Bogdanović is no lockdown defender, he does offer a slight upgrade over both Mann and Hyland.
Further, alongside offseason acquisition Kevin Porter Jr., Bogdanović could be a consistent scoring option off the bench. Even though he’s enjoying a relatively quiet season averaging just 10 points per game, he’s had multiple seasons averaging over 15 ppg, including last year when he was at 16.9 ppg.
Pair that with an incredible Olympic showing, and you have the recipe for a role player flourishing under the right system. With shot creators off the bounce especially effective under head coach Ty Lue, perhaps it can give the Serbian a late-career renaissance.
Atlanta Hawks: B
Since Jalen Johnson went down with a season-ending injury, the season has essentially become a wash for the Hawks. While Trae Young is doing his best with incredible heroics, building for the future might be their best bet.
An idea that started with the Dejounte Murray trade in the offseason might come to fruition fully in due time. Taking a page out of last year’s Dallas Mavericks book, the Hawks decided to surround Young with a bunch of defensive-minded, sweet-shooting wings.
In Mann, they find another name that fits the mold, and Hyland has enough unexplored potential at just 24 for a rebuilding team like Atlanta to take a flyer on him. Moreover, Bogdanović at 32 was no loner going to fit their timeline.
So, acquiring three second-rounders along with two potential long-term pieces might be the best move the Hawks could have gotten out of the Serbian. If there is a legitimate long-term plan for Atlanta, this move continues to build their war chest of draft picks and wings.
