Things got out of hand quickly for the Atlanta Hawks against the Orlando Magic even though the first came on two days off. They would fall 135-124 in a game that saw them trail as much as 29 points (twice) and come close to eight points in the second half and fall below . 500 in 14-15.
The Hawks are 0-2 on their current road trip and have lost four straight from State Farm Arena.
They have lost five of their last six matches overall.
Ahead of the annual peak in trading speculation near the February 9 deadline, hawks have been a constant presence in the rumor mill. It’s not going to stop with this loss shedding more light on some of their most significant problems unless of course they do something about it.
The Raptors’ Gary Trent could fill a huge need for the Atlanta Hawks
Generally, the rumors involved the much-discussed Hawkes transfer from John Collins. But there have been several reports of interest in players like Jae Crowder from the Phoenix Suns and even Lauri Markkanen from the Utah Jazz. That list could soon expand, according to a new report from Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report.
“The Raptors have several decisions over the next 18 months, specifically the long-term futures of Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, Og Anunobi and Gary Trent Jr,” Pincus wrote. “If there’s one player who didn’t meet the deadline, it’s Trent.”
Trent is in the second year of a three-year deal with $17.2 million due this season and a player option for $18.5 million in 2023.
His 17.2 points per game and 55% on true shooting are the second best of his career.
The 6-foot-5 wing averaged 20.5 points and hit 40% of his triples over four games before scoring just 11 points (on 55% shooting overall) in a 124-123 loss to the Sacramento Kings.
Pincus wasn’t specific about the Hawks’ interest in Trent, 23, at this time. But they allowed Orlando’s 20th-ranked three-point efficiency team to shoot more than 44% from depth.
Atlanta brought back Clint Capela and Trey Young in one game. Together, the duo amassed 35 points, 18 assists (Young recorded a season-high with 16), and nine rebounds as the Falcons outscored the Glass 46-39 by a Magic team featuring a unique combination of size and skill.
They are 1-3 since Dejounte Murray went down and the number has been without him in another four games or so.
Collins also remains out, though he did join the broadcast during the loss to the Magic and said he was close while refusing to put an exact schedule on anything. For all the talk of him being traded away this season, they’ve gone 2-5 since he got out.
Pincus’ report didn’t make things much clearer for the Hawks, but it raises more questions as they try to right the ship sooner rather than later.