Atlanta Hawks: 3 players most likely to be traded in 2018-19

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1. Kent Bazemore

This is a trade possibility that has some legs. As recently this month, several teams have inquired about the availability of the final holdover from the 60-win Atlanta Hawks team in 2014-15.

It’s not hard to see why; Bazemore is a tremendous athlete that shoots the 3 well (39.4 percent last year) and provides good defense (1.1 defensive box plus/minus) from the wing position.

Aside from his skill-set, Bazemore’s contract situation makes him an enticing trade chip. With a $19.2 million player option for next year — which Bazemore will probably pick up — the team that acquires him will get more than one year out of the 29-year-old swingman, which could raise the asking price for him.

The $18 million Bazemore will make this year, along with that pricey player option, could scare some teams off — particularly the ones that want to maintain their flexibility like the Los Angeles Lakers –but plenty of others will be more than willing to take the risk. Besides, that salary isn’t that bad for a 3-and-D player who can occasionally put the ball on the floor.

With first round pick Kevin Huerter waiting in the wings, there doesn’t seem to be much reason to keep Bazemore around. He’ll likely end up on a contending team soon, even if that means Atlanta has to take on a bad contract in the process.