If the team with the most disappointing performance this season is to be selected, the Atlanta Hawks must be at the top. They also reached the Eastern Conference Finals as a dark horse last season, and have achieved a dismal record of only 17 wins and 22 losses so far this season, ranking 12th in the East. In the last 8 games, they have lost 6 games, and just today, in the face of the loss of Leonard and George's Twin Star Clippers, they still have no resistance and suffered defeats.
The Eagles' rapid decline is due to a number of reasons:
First, as the team's home star, Trae Young, like Harden, Lillard and others, is affected by the adjustment of the league's foul rules, although the average can still cut 28 points, 3.9 rebounds and 9.5 assists per game, but the average of 6.6 free throws per game has fallen to a new low in the past 3 seasons, the opponent's tougher defense, so that his state stability has also been affected to a certain extent, the situation of super gods occurs from time to time, but the situation of super ghosts is not uncommon.
Second, the status of teammates has generally declined. The Eagles were able to stand out last season and have a close relationship with the excellent performances of people including Gallinari, Bogdanovic and others, but so far this season, Gallinari and Bogdanovic's data have fallen sharply, the former can also contribute 13.3 points per game last season, and this season's average of points per game has been less than double digits, the latter can average 16.4 points per game last season, and this season's average points per game have fallen to 12.1 points per game. In addition, the data of Hunter, Hurth and others has also declined compared to last season.
Third, the team as a whole is poorly defended. In fact, under Trae Young's needle-piercing lead, the Hawks' offense this season has been playing well, ranking third in the league with an offensive efficiency of 112.6, behind the Utah Jazz and Charlotte Hornets, but how fierce they are on the offensive end, how bad they are on the defensive end, so far 113.1 defensive efficiency, ranking fourth from the bottom in the league. You know, last season their stats were still in the middle of the league.
Neither team management nor Atalanta fans can accept the Hawks' decline so rapidly this season, and bringing in reinforcements before the trade deadline is almost an unavoidable topic for the team. U.S. media "NBA Fansided" columnist Dallin Duffy wrote that sabonis, who is currently playing for the Pacers, may be an important target for them.
The 25-year-old Sabonis Jr., the son of Lithuanian admé Arvidas Sabonis, entered the league in 2016 as the first-round No. 11 pick and has been in the league for six seasons so far, during which time he has been selected as an All-Star twice. In the 39 games he played this season, he can contribute 19.3 rebounds, 11.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game, whether it is rebounding, low-post offense, high-level strategy, the ability is very good. If the All-Star interior line can be brought in, it will undoubtedly increase the Chances of the Hawks getting out of their current predicament.
It should be noted that, like the Hawks, the Pacers, who have been in the playoffs for many seasons, have also seen a significant decline in record this season, currently ranking 13th in the East with 15 wins and 25 losses, and the team management has long had the idea of pushing down the rebuild, if the Hawks can provide some young players and draft picks as chips, I believe the Pacers will gladly push for a deal. Obviously, the current Eagles have such a high-quality chip.