ATLANTA — The Atlanta Hawks are trading wing Vit Krejci to the Portland Trail Blazers for center Duop Reath and two second-round picks. Atlanta will receive its own 2027 second-round pick back in the deal. The Hawks will also receive a 2030 New York Knicks second-round pick.
Hawks And Trail Blazers Make Low-Stakes Trade
Krejci’s Changing Role
Krejci’s role in the Hawks rotation changed after the team acquired Corey Kispert and C.J. McCollum in exchange for Trae Young. This season, Krejci has averaged a career-high 9.0 points per game. He has shot 46.4 percent from the field. He has also shot 42.3 percent on 5.2 three-point attempts per game. The Trail Blazers desperately need his spacing. They rank last in three-point percentage at 33.6 percent.
Why Atlanta Made the Deal
Reath has struggled to carve out a bigger role in Coach Tiago Splitter’s system. In 32 appearances, he averages three points and one rebound in just eight minutes of action. Reath is out for the season following surgery to address a stress fracture in his foot. Atlanta will waive Reath to open a roster spot. The team could convert Christian Koloko from his two-way contract.
The Hawks are tenth in the Eastern Conference and looking to improve as a contender. This deal may appear head-scratching on the surface. It is really about acquiring picks for a player the Hawks were not using much. If Atlanta wants to make more trades, extra assets help. Atlanta likely feels it can continue building its roster by having more draft picks to maneuver with.
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