The Atlanta Hawks and Portland Trail Blazers have finalized a trade that sends Vit Krejci to the Pacific Northwest, with Duop Reath and a pair of second-round picks heading to Atlanta. On paper, it’s a minor move. But dig a little deeper, and it’s clear both teams are playing the long game - just in very different ways.
Let’s start with the basics. Atlanta gets two second-round picks - one of them their own 2027 selection, the other New York’s 2030 second-rounder - both of which had been in Portland’s possession.
In return, the Blazers land Krejci, a 6-foot-8 guard who’s quietly shooting over 42% from beyond the arc this season. That kind of size and shooting touch doesn’t grow on trees, and it immediately addresses a glaring hole for Portland, who currently sit dead last in the NBA in three-point percentage.
Krejci’s fit in Portland is more than just statistical. He brings length, floor spacing, and a low-usage offensive profile - the kind of connective piece that can help stabilize a young, evolving roster.
He’s also on a team-friendly deal, and with extension eligibility coming this summer, the Blazers have the flexibility to see how he fits before making a long-term commitment. For a rebuilding team trying to find diamonds in the rough, this is exactly the kind of low-risk, high-upside swing that makes sense.
As for Atlanta, this is a move about optionality. With Corey Kispert now in the fold, Krejci became the odd man out in a crowded wing rotation. Moving him allows the Hawks to reclaim some draft capital and clear a roster spot - a subtle but important piece of business for a team that’s reshaping its identity on the fly.
Duop Reath, who heads to Atlanta in the deal, is unlikely to suit up for the Hawks. He recently underwent season-ending foot surgery, and there’s a strong expectation that he’ll be waived to create additional roster flexibility. Cap expert Yossi Gozlan also pointed out that N’Faly Dante, another big man currently sidelined with a torn ACL, could be a candidate to be released as well, depending on how Atlanta manages its roster moving forward.
This is the kind of trade that doesn’t make headlines but matters in the margins. For Portland, it’s a chance to plug a real weakness with a player who fits both their timeline and style. For Atlanta, it’s about maneuvering - adding assets, creating space, and keeping options open.
Both teams are in very different places competitively, but each walks away with something they needed. The Blazers get shooting help and a potential long-term piece.
The Hawks get flexibility and future picks. Smart, subtle moves like this often set the stage for bigger things down the road.