The NBA trade deadline came and went on Thursday with the Hawks making one minor move. The team traded Mike Scott, the draft rights to Cenk Akyol and cash considerations to the Suns for a top-55 protected 2017 second-round draft pick. The Hawks also received a $3.3 million traded player exception in the deal.
The Hawks’ substantive move was made Wednesday night with the acquisition of power forward Ersan Ilyasova from the 76ers in exchange for backup center Tiago Splitter. The Hawks also sent their second-round pick and one owned from the Heat this year to the 76ers for the lesser of their two second-round picks this year.
The Hawks had two open roster spots and plan to explore the buyout and call-up markets to fill the positions. One area of need is a third point guard with Gary Neal and Lamar Patterson, who both played with the Hawks on 10-day contracts this season, getting consideration. Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said the team is “very committed” to fill both spots. The Hawks will fill the two vacant spots by signing Patterson and Ryan Kelly for the remainder of the season.
The Hawks were in trade discussions right up until the 3 p.m. deadline with “lots of big deals” being discussed. The Pacers’ Paul George was a player the Hawks made calls about but were unsure how close they were to an actual deal, according to a person familiar with the situation. The Bulls’ Jimmy Butler was also a player the Hawks called about, according to a person familiar with the situation. However, those and other deals never materialized and the team is largely the same that entered the All-Star break fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 32-24 record.
Budenholzer said he felt good about what the team accomplished.
“At the end of the day, Ersan Ilyasova was one of our top guys that as we mapped this out for the last month or more could we add a player like him,” Budenholzer said. “Lots of times there is lots of talk and you end up with nobody. To get someone you targeted, I think we feel really good about that.”
Ilyasova arrived at Philips Arena after the team had practiced Thursday. He had yet to take the necessary physical and could not speak to the media. He will likely be available Friday morning before the Hawks host the Heat.
The 6-foot-10 Ilyasova brings a power forward who can space the floor with a 3-point shot. This will be Ilyasova’s third team this season after stints with the Thunder and 76ers. In 53 games with the 76ers, including 40 starts, he averaged 14.8 points and 5.9 rebounds. He shot .359 from 3-point range.
“We definitely added some shooting,” Kent Bazemore said. “We are looking to make this a home for him. He’s one of the best shooters in the game as far as playing the stretch-4 position. If there is one thing we need is a little bit more shooting.”
Budenholzer said Ilyasova will have to earn playing time but sees him as a “significant contributor.” He did not say how minutes would be divvyed up with the addition.
Paul Millsap said the addition will help the Hawks over the final 26 games of the regular season. However, there is plenty of room for improvement with those remaining on the roster.
“He can help our team a lot,” Millsap said. “We can help ourselves a lot too. With both of those, we can move up to two (seed in the East). We have a good chance. We’ve got enough games to do it. It’s just about us getting there and executing.”
Scott was the longest tenured Hawks player in his fifth season after being a second-round pick in 2012.
Scott started the season injured and did not play well in limited opportunities. He averaged a career-low 2.5 points and 2.1 rebounds in 10.8 minutes over 18 games.
Scott missed the start of the season after undergoing several non-surgical procedures on this left knee. He played sparingly in his return and would ice his left foot after games and practices. At one point was seen in a walking boot. However, any injury was never included on a medical update. Scott still faces legal issues for his arrest on felony drug charges in Banks County two years ago.
“Hopefully Mike is going to be in a good place for him and his career going forward having a little more control or more opportunities,” Budenholzer said. “Adding Ilyasova was going to make it difficult on him here. Mike’s season this year, he and I both probably wish for something more but he’s been a great player for us. I have a ton of respect for him and what he brings.”
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