Lakers Trade Prospects: Atlanta Hawks’ Tim Hardaway Jr Breakdown

Eric Yee

Jan 16, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) dunks against Brooklyn Nets guard Bojan Bogdanovic (44) in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 114-86. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Tim Hardaway Jr. of the Atlanta Hawks is one prospect the Lakers would be wise to target at the deadline

Before being traded to the Hawks, Tim Hardaway Jr. was a steady contributor the New York Knicks which makes his current position intriguing. In New York, per 36 minutes Hardaway increased his rookie averages from 15.8 to 17.2 points per game but fell victim to Phil Jackson‘s fire sale along with teammates J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert.

Traded for the 19th overall pick, who the Knicks used to draft Jerian Grant, the trade becomes even more confusing on the Hawks part when you realize that Hardaway has only played in 11 of their first 42 games without news of injury.

Atlanta currently ranks seventh in offensive efficiency and 10th in defensive efficiency, which is amazing considering they still lack a true superstar. However, considering the deadline is fast approaching and the playoffs are ever looming, the Hawks might be swayed to part with Hardaway Jr for the right pieces.

Coach Mike Budenholzer recently admitted that Hardaway was making improvements saying,

"I can promise you he is doing well and he is in a good place… There is a real emphasis on player development with us and we’ve seen guys who have come in and maybe not started out gangbusters but through work, time and effort they find a way."

Similar to his mentor Gregg Popovich, Budenholzen believes in the process, which is admirable, but in a win now league, the Hawk’s higher-ups might not feel the same.

Broken down to it’s simplest, a trade could look as follows:

Next: Why It Makes Sense For Atlanta

Dec 4, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Kent Bazemore (24) is defended by Los Angeles Lakers guard Louis Williams (23) in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Lakers 100-87. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Why It Makes Sense For the Hawks

Looking down Atlanta’s bench, one of the things they lack is an established scoring threat, something the Lakers have an over abundance of. Correction, scoring threat might be too strong of a phrase, willing shooters who often find success is more like it.

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Dennis Schroder is often relied on to be the primary option in the second unit and though he’s proven himself as a capable back up point guard, he’s still a long way off from being an elite scorer.

Further, with Kyle Korver struggling this year, in comparison to his recent years, the Hawks could benefit from some additional scoring.

Enter Lou Williams or Nick Young.

For the Hawks, this makes sense for various reasons. In Young/Williams, Atlanta gains a proven second unit shot creator something that Atlanta sorely missed in the playoffs last year as they got demolished by the Cavaliers despite having the best record in the Eastern Conference.

Further, the system that Coach Mike Budenholzer has established in Atalanta caters to Young and William’s quick triggers, just look at what he’s done for Korver. On the Lakers, Young and Williams are degraded to getting open shots through isolation basketball, but in Bud’s system they’d have actual sets ran for them specifically.

To throw in added incentive, the Lakers would likely have to part with either Tarik Black or Brandon Bass.

Seeing that the Hawks have a “real emphasis on player development” and the Lakers ineptitude at even using Black at all, it would be likely that the Hawks would want him back in the trade. Doing so only makes sense if Byron Scott remains the Lakers head coach next year.

Meaning, if and when the Lakers get an actual coach, they will surely find a way to properly utilize Black’s vast skill set.

At this point Brandon Bass and Tarik Black are basically interchangeable. Both do nearly the same things, the one difference is that one is only 23 and has a tremendous amount more upside.

Keeping Black should be a priority considering LA’s current youth initiative, but Byron Scott has signed off on crazier things. On Atlanta, Bass/Black can play behind both Paul Milsap and Al Horford providing additional depth to the front court.

Next: Why It Makes Sense for LA

Oct 9, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) and Atlanta Hawks forward Tiago Splitter (11) box out New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) during the third quarter at Veterans Memorial Arena. The Atlanta Hawks won 103-93. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

Why It Makes Sense for the Lakers

For the Lakers, this trade makes sense for many reasons:

They get significantly younger, something which will ultimately help them in the long run
Hardaway Jr immediately improves their first line of defense which desperately needs help
The trade will free up more playing time for Jordan Clarkson and more so, D’Angelo Russell who needs all the run time he can get

The Lakers top priority at February’s trade deadline should be to acquire draft picks but the next best thing is picking up a young up and comer who can run alongside the young Lakers and Hardway Jr fits the mold perfectly.

The Lakers current back up point guard is Marcelo Huertas, who is almost assuredly gone after this season. That said, sliding Hardaway into the mix makes it possible for either Clarkson or Russell to be on the floor at all times as the primary ball handler, something which should have been incorporated as a staple for the Lakers since the beginning of this season.

To make the salaries work, the Lakers would also have to take back a bad contract, and the most likely candidate would be former Spur, Tiago Splitter. Considering the Lakers recent decision to shop Roy Hibbert, alongside their prolonged struggles at center, a veteran like Splitter wouldn’t be the worst option.