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For quite some time, one of the realistic scenarios on the table for the Atlanta Hawks was a trade that would move the team down from the No. 3 overall selection in order to acquire multiple assets. On Thursday evening, that theoretical exercise came to fruition, with the Hawks partnering with the Dallas Mavericks on a deal that would send the No. 3 pick to Dallas in exchange for the No. 5 pick and a future first round draft choice.
Atlanta and Dallas have agreed to a deal, league sources tell ESPN. They'll trade Nos. 3 and 5 picks, sending Luka Doncic to Dallas and Trae Young to Atlanta, sources said. Dallas will send Atlanta a future first.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 21, 2018
Dallas will send a future first-round pick with various protections over the next five seasons to Atlanta along with No. 5 to acquire the third overall pick from Atlanta, league sources say
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 21, 2018
Sources: Dallas is sending 2019 protected first-round pick in deal to acquire Luka Doncic at No. 3 from Atlanta, for No. 5.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 21, 2018
Later, word surfaced that the 2019 first round draft pick will be top-five protected, indicating that the choice will convey if the Mavericks land between 6 and 30 in the 2019 NBA Draft.
Sources: Protection on Dallas' 2019 first-round pick to Atlanta in Luka Doncic/No. 3 deal: 1-5.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 21, 2018
With Deandre Ayton and Marvin Bagley III off the board, the Hawks had the chance to select Slovenian playmaker Luka Doncic but, in executing this particular transaction, Atlanta chooses to ere on the side of additional assets and a chance to select Young with the No. 5 pick.
This is certainly a gamble from Travis Schlenk, as Young is a player with a sky-high ceiling on the offensive end with significant downside risk based on size, physicality and defensive concerns.
Stay tuned as more details, including pick protections, become available.