Kamal Ghorui
According to sources who spoke with ESPN on Sunday, the Atlanta Hawks are trading guard Vit Krejci to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Duop Reath and two future second-round picks. As per the reports, the Trail Blazers are returning a 2027 Atlanta second-round pick and a 2030 second-round pick to the Hawks via the New York Knicks.Krejci is a promising player. The five-year NBA veteran is now shooting 46.4% from the field and 42.3% from three-point range in 46 games, averaging 9.0 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. Additionally, Krejci is among the top 20 players in the NBA with an average of 2.2 3-pointers made per game on 42.3% shooting.
Hawks deal Vit Krejci to Trail Blazers as Atlanta adds draft picks and clears roster space
The Hawks apparently made another move after acquiring Corey Kispert and CJ McCollum from the Wizards in the Trae Young trade. According to sources who spoke to Shams Charania of ESPN, they are trading guard Vit Krejci to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for center Duop Reath and two future second-round picks. Over the past few seasons, Krejci has been a reliable player for the Hawks. The Trail Blazers will now acquire Krejci, according to a Sunday report by Charania. The announcement read:“The Atlanta Hawks are trading guard Vit Krejci to the Portland Trail Blazers for Duop Reath and two future second-round picks, sources tell ESPN. Krejci has averaged 9 points and 2.2 3-pointers made per game on 42.3% shooting, which ranks top 20 in the NBA.”Furthermore, Jake L. Fischer later clarified the picks coming Atlanta’s direction and wrote: “Atlanta is receiving its own 2027 second-round pick plus a 2030 New York second-rounder from Portland, sources say, in exchange for trading Vit Krejci to the Trail Blazers for Duop Reath…: Krejci gives the Trail Blazers, who are vying for a spot in the play-in tournament this year, more floor space. According to Bobby Marks of ESPN, the Hawks currently have seven potential second-round picks. If they choose to waive Reath as well, the move will free up roster space.Krejci, who has played in Atlanta for four of his five NBA seasons, is also making 44.6% of his catch-and-shoot 3-pointers this season, ranking 16th out of 179 players in the league. After this season, Krejci’s contract expires in two years, however he will be available for an extension over the offseason.
Hawks prioritize future draft picks over injured Duop Reath in Vit Krejci trade decision
Hawks might acquire Duop Reath. Despite leaving LSU in 2018 to play professionally in several foreign locations, Reath, a 29-year-old 6-foot-9 man from South Sudan and Australia, joined the NBA three years ago. He has averaged 16.8 points and 7.0 rebounds per 36 minutes while shooting 45% from the field and 36% from three.He even had foot surgery some days ago that ended his season. Acquiring the two second-round picks over the player, who will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season but is out for the season due to a foot fracture, appears to be the main driving force for this move.
