The Atlanta Hawks are staying active ahead of the trade deadline, and their latest move is more about flexibility than firepower. In a deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, the Hawks are sending sharpshooting guard Vit Krejci west in exchange for big man Duop Reath and two future second-round picks.
Krejci had quietly become a solid contributor off the bench in Atlanta. He was averaging nine points per game and knocking down 2.2 threes per night while shooting a scorching 42.3% from deep - a mark that puts him among the league’s top 20 three-point shooters. That kind of efficiency doesn’t go unnoticed, especially in a league where floor spacing is at a premium.
But for the Hawks, this trade isn’t about what Krejci brings on the court - it’s about what his departure opens up. Atlanta gets back Reath, a skilled stretch big who’s shown flashes, but he’s currently sidelined for the season and may not even suit up in a Hawks uniform. What they really gain here is a roster spot and a pair of second-round picks, giving them more ammo for potential moves in the coming days.
This is a team that’s clearly not done dealing. They already made the biggest splash of the deadline season by shipping out four-time All-Star Trae Young to Washington.
That move signaled a shift in direction - not a rebuild, but a reshuffling with purpose. And with seven second-round picks now in their war chest, Atlanta has the flexibility to get creative, whether that’s by targeting undervalued talent or sweetening the pot in a bigger deal.
The Hawks have been linked - however loosely - to some big names in recent weeks, including Anthony Davis and Giannis Antetokounmpo. While those rumors have cooled, the front office is still expected to be aggressive as the deadline approaches. The goal is clear: solidify the roster and make a real push for a top-six seed in the East, avoiding the play-in and positioning themselves for a deeper postseason run.
This Krejci-for-picks swap might not move the needle on its own, but it’s a strategic piece of a larger puzzle. The Hawks are maneuvering with intent, and with the deadline just days away, don’t be surprised if more moves are on the horizon.