Corey Kispert's Salary Gives the Atlanta Hawks 3 Intriguing Trade Paths

It has been argued that the Atlanta Hawks need to trade Corey Kispert. Who could they target with him?

It depends on what they're trying to accomplish. If the Hawks want assets, they could try to flip Kispert for a second-round pick or two. If they want to upgrade their roster, they could be the ones attaching assets.

Luckily, Kispert's Average Annual Value (AAV) of $13.5 million is easily moved. Whatever the Hawks want to accomplish, they should be able to do it.

Here are three players they could consider targeting with his contract.

Here, the Hornets would be the ones sending the assets out - although they likely wouldn't have to add much. Williams and Kispert are roughly in the same ballpark.

Kispert is the better shooter, but Williams' 38.8% shooting from deep last year is nothing to sneeze at. Kispert had a down year at 35.4%, but it should be noted that he shoots more difficult shots than Williams.

Still, there's a gap between the two on the defensive end. That's what keeps Kispert off the floor, whereas Williams is solid. Depending on whether the Hornets get anything out of the newly acquired Dorian Finney-Smith, they could be open to swapping these players for some modest assets.

Astute Roundtable readers may pause for thought. Hasn't it been established that the Hawks had no interest in Vanderbilt?

Well, they weren't interested in absorbing his salary while sending Kuminga out in a sign-and-trade. That's fair, but Kispert's value is likely considerably lower. The Hawks shouldn't even have to attach assets to make this work.

Granted, Vanderbilt's poor shooting makes him a suspect fit on the Hawks. That said, he's a high-motor defender who would be a good third-string player for this team. If the Hawks don't want to attach assets, this one-for-one swap could work.

If they want a bigger fish, they may have to get creative.

Smith is the type of player a lot of teams could use. He's a combo big man who can space the floor and defend. Who wouldn't want him?

So, his availability may depend on the Bulls' intentions. This team doesn't typically like to tank. After drafting Caleb Wilson this summer, the Bulls may prefer to try to win games.

That said, if they're not accomplishing that goal as the deadline approaches, they might want to change gears. If so, the Hawks should pounce on Smith. They could send Kispert and considerable second-round draft capital, and the Bulls may accept.

Unless Kispert manages to find his way back into the team's good graces.