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Atlanta Hawks Trade For Splitter, Lose Carroll to Raptors

By John Buhler

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The Atlanta Hawks have had a very interesting last 30 minutes in free agency.  According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports,  the Atlanta Hawks made a trade with the San Antonio Spurs to acquire C Tiago Splitter.  Remember that Atlanta’s Head Coach Mike Budenholzer was a long-time assistant on Gregg Popovich’s staff in San Antonio.

-= Related: Dennis Schroder: Sacramento Kings Interested in Hawks PG? =-

Splitter will likely start at center for the Atlanta Hawks in 2015-16 as former C Al Horford will likely move to PF this fall, assuming that Atlanta is unable to re-sign All-Star PF Paul Millsap, currently being courted by the Orlando Magic.  Tiago will command $16.8 Million over the next two seasons, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.

Wojnarowski also reported that Free Agent SF DeMarre Carroll signed a 4-year deal worth $60 Million with the Toronto Raptors.  While it’s a great day in the Carroll household, it stinks that our team’s best defensive player will suit up for an Eastern Conference foe in 2015-16. Congratulations on your big-time contract with the Raptors.  You’ve earned it and it was a pleasure watching you grow with the Atlanta Hawks the last two seasons.

With the Splitter trade, it seems likely that Paul Millsap will take his talents to Orlando and accept the Magic’s maximum offer even though Atlanta did match the deal.  However, there is a chance that Splitter comes off the bench for Atlanta and the Hawks front office retains Paul Millsap’s services.  I do think this is an unlikely scenario though.

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Splitter is a great pickup for the Atlanta Hawks.  He has championship pedigree, a great low post game, and defensive presence down low. By acquiring Tiago Splitter, Atlanta should have some bite on the glass in 2015-16.  Rebounding has been an issue for the Hawks the last two seasons and Splitter will definitely help Coach Bud this fall.

Though we are only 13 hours into the NBA’s free agency period, the Atlanta Hawks absolutely need to find a suitable replacement for DeMarre Carroll.  Sure, Bud could start Thabo Sefolosha at the 3 if need be since he is a former starter with the Oklahoma City Thunder.  Perhaps Tim Hardaway Jr. moves into a starting role for the Hawks as well.  Stay tuned for more free agency updates as they arrive.

Next: Atlanta Hawks: Potential Free Agent Targets to Improve Depth

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