NBA Rumors: Atlanta Hawks interested in Anderson Varejao, Tristan Thompson & Dion Waiters?
Although they lost their best player, big man Al Horford, to an injury early in the season, the Atlanta Hawks managed to stay afloat and get into to the postseason where they pushed the top-seed Indiana Pacers to seven games before bowing out in the first round of the postseason.
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With Horford returning to join a core that includes big man Paul Millsap and point guard Jeff Teague, the Hawks expect to show improvement in the 2014-2015 season. The Hawks hold the 15th-overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft and their quest to improve will star there. However, they may not be able to get the type of player they are looking for there, meaning they may look to trade their pick for a veteran.
Matt Moore of CBS Sports believes the Hawks could deal for one of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ players who are reportedly available – big man Anderson Varejao, big ma Trista Thompso and guard Dion Waiters.
"Trade for a vet: Would make some sense. They want to get better now. Why not make a play if there’s one available. If Cleveland makes some of their guys available, like Varejao, Thompson, or Waiters, that could be a good fit. Same with some of the Kings’ young guys."
Varejao went for 8.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 49.5% from the field and 68.1% from the charity stripe. Thompson averaged 11.7 points and 9.2 rebounds per game while shooting 47.7% from the field and 69.3% from the free throw line. Waiters put up 15.9 points, 3.0 assists and 2.8 rebounds while shooting 43.3% from the floor, 36.8% from beyond the arc and 68.5% from the free throw line.