Insider suggests Hawks-Bulls trade between Kristaps Porzingis, Kobe White, Nikola Vucevic

With Atlanta Hawks hovering below .500, trade speculation surrounding the franchise intensified. The latest proposal that publishes links Atlanta to the Chicago Bulls in a potential deal centered around Kristaps Porzingiswith guards Coby White and a veterans center Nikola Vucevic returning in turn.

ClutchPoints NBA Insider Brett Siegel reported Tuesday that the Hawks have explored higher-end options, including theoretical pursuit of Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davisleague sentiment suggests Atlanta is more likely to pursue a smaller, financially flexible move if it decides to part ways with Porzingis.

“Although the Hawks have explored and discussed a potential path toward acquiring Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis, there has been no progress on that front, sources said.”

Trading Porzingis, given his health issues, and finding another frontcourt option to pair with Okongwu is certainly an option at this point for Atlanta. But rival teams in both conferences don’t think the Hawks would sacrifice assets and Porzingis’ expiring contract for Davis. Instead, many in the NBA expect them to make a marginal move if they want to move on from Porzingis, leading to the idea of ​​a potential trade with Chicago.

Vucevic is a big man like Porzingis, who makes about $9 million less than the Hawks’ current big man. Atlanta is currently $5.4 million below the tax line, and they’d like to stay in that position, but they could get there while also potentially shedding Porzingis’ expiring contract and draft funds for Bely and Vucevic, two immediate upgrades that will help them make a deep run into the playoffs.

Again, this is simply a suggestion by league staff, and there is no indication that the Hawks are actively pursuing Vucevic or White. However, this is the type of ‘marginal move’ that the Hawks are said to be more interested in if the decision to trade Porzingis is made.

Kristaps Porzingis’ expiring contract solidifies the Hawks-Bulls trade framework

Porzingis, 30, remains a productive piece when available. He averaged 19.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.6 blocks per game while shooting 49.7 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from three-point range in 13 appearances, playing 25.9 minutes per game. He is in the final season of a two-year, $60 million deal and is making $30.7 million this season and will become an unrestricted free agent next summer. His expiring contract is considered by rival teams to be one of Atlanta’s most valuable trade tools.

The Whites have enjoyed a breakthrough since returning in November. The 25-year-old guard is averaging 21.4 points, 5.1 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game while shooting 44.8 percent from the field and 31.9 percent from three in 13 games, including 11 starts, while playing 29.6 minutes per game. White is in the final year of a three-year, $36 million deal and was making $12.8 million this season before becoming a free agent.

Vucevic, 35, continues to provide steady in-house production for Chicago. He is averaging 16.1 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 48.9 percent from the field and 36.5 percent from three in 28 games, playing 30.1 minutes per game. He is also in the final year of a three-year, $60 million deal and is making $21.4 million this season.

Chicago enters the back half of the week riding a four-game winning streak, including a pair recent wins over atlanta ended with tuesday’s 126-123 victory. The Bulls (14–15) return to the United Center to host the Philadelphia 76ers (16–12) Friday night at 7:30 PM ET on Prime Video.

Atlanta (15-16), meanwhile, will try to snap a four-game losing streak as it closes out a five-game homestand with matchups against the Miami Heat (15–15) on Friday night at 7pm ET and the New York Knicks (20–9) on Saturday night at 8pm ET on NBA TV.