The Atlanta Hawks have been considered a heavy favorite in the previous NBA season. In fact, some sports analysts believed that the Jeff Teague team would be the one facing off against the unstoppable Golden State Warriors at the time. However, things came to a bitter end for the Atlanta Hawks when LeBron James reasserted his dominance in the league and carried the Cleveland Cavaliers to the top of the Eastern Conference.
This NBA season, fans expected the Kyle Korver squad to take once again a shot at unseating the Kyrie Irving team - a move that could see them face off either against the Stephen Curry team or the San Antonio Spurs. With the recent performance of the Atlanta Hawks, however, the hope of repeating their amazing run last NBA season appears bleak.
Hence, fans got excited when the Al Horford team was rumored to be seeking ways to boost their roster. Before the NBA trade deadline, reports came out that Dennis Schroder has attracted some basketball teams in the league. One of the teams that reportedly almost snagged the German star is the Philadelphia 76ers.
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Jahlil Okafor squad almost signed Schroder in the recently concluded NBA trade deadline. In exchange for the 22-year-old point guard, the Philadelphia 76ers purportedly offered Ish Smith along with Nik Stauskas. The Atlanta Hawks would have also received a first-round 2016 NBA Draft pick. To sweeten the deal, the Philadelphia 76ers included a player with an expiring contract as an add-on.
Despite the attractive package, the Atlanta Hawks rejected the offer. According to CBS Sports, Schroder currently holds a valuable post in the roster. With an aging point guard in Teague, the Al Horford squad is reportedly hoping to push the German star in the starting lineup and ease out the veteran star. Hence, Teague might be on the chopping block in June.
"The deal on the table was reportedly Nik Stauskas, Ish Smith, a player with an expiring deal presumed to be Jakarr Sampson (before he was waived, obviously) and a 2016 first-round pick," noted Zach Harper of CBS Sports. He added, "However, the Hawks turned it down in a time when they were reportedly kicking the tire on moving Jeff Teague in order to make room for Schroder as the primary point guard on the roster."
As for Smith, the Philadelphia 76ers star chooses not to let the NBA trade rumors involving his future with the team affect his performance. Sources disclosed that Smith might not be out of the woods just yet. In fact, some disclosed that he might be entering the Atlanta Hawks locker room as soon as a workable deal pans out for both NBA teams. As for Stauskas, he noted that he is in an industry that requires a clear understanding that business prospect are at stake.
"I feel like at trade deadline, if the right deal comes, everyone is at risk of being traded. That's just the way this business goes," shared Stauskas. He added, "There's nothing to take personally about it. There's nothing to get upset about. If anything, it's a compliment that the other team wants you. That's the way I look at it."
