Atlanta, GA
Why DeMar DeRozan Signing With Sacramento Should Help The Atlanta Hawks
Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan always was going to be a strange fit on a team that looks poised for a rebuilding season in 2024-25. It should not be a surprise that he is changing teams. However, his departure from the Bulls may end up helping the Hawks.
Per NBA insider Marc Stein, the Sacramento Kings have continued to pursue DeRozan in a sign-and-trade. The Kings are looking to get back into the playoffs after losing to the New Orleans Pelicans in the play-in. They seem to view DeRozan as a piece that can help them do that.
“Sacramento continues its pursuit of DeMar DeRozan via sign-and-trade and San Antonio has emerged as a potential third-team facilitator, league sources say. The Kings have chased DeRozan this week and Chicago is willing to facilitate a sign-and-trade but insists on a third team in the deal to take in salary.”
TNT Sports and B/R insider Chris Haynes also revealed that DeRozan and his agents are meeting with the Kings today in Sacramento.
Free agent guard DeMar DeRozan and his representation are meeting with the Sacramento Kings early as today in the state capital to take in recruiting pitch, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport. pic.twitter.com/U21SN3LMFU
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 6, 2024
The deal finally got done tonight, with multiple reports confirming DeRozan is headed to Sacramento. Harrison Barnes is going to San Antonio and 2nd round picks, Chris Duarte and cash are going to the Chicago Bulls.
ESPN Sources with @TimBontemps: The Sacramento Kings are agreed on a sign-and-trade that will land DeMar DeRozan on a three-year deal, send Harrison Barnes to the San Antonio Spurs and Chris Duarte, two second-round picks and cash to the Chicago Bulls. pic.twitter.com/eopPkSPBvc
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 7, 2024
The Kings are indirectly helping the Hawks by making this move. In 2022, Atlanta sent Kevin Huerter to Sacramento for Justin Holiday, Moe Harkless, and a 2024 first-round pick. That pick was top-14 protected, but the Kings got it because they landed the 13th overall pick. As a result, the pick became a top-12 protected pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
There are two reasons why the pick moving to 2025 is a far better option for the Hawks. First, it’s more likely that the Hawks get the pick with DeRozan going to Sacramento. The 2024-25 Kings lineup probably would be De’Aaron Fox – Malik Monk – Keegan Murray – DeMar DeRozan – Domantas Sabonis. While the ceiling of that team is questionable, the floor is not. Barring injuries, I would expect that team to finish as one of the top-eight teams in the Western Conference. The Kings finished as the ninth seed last season – adding DeRozan gives them another scorer and connective playmaker. His ability to draw fouls and capitalize on his free throws would also be a welcome addition to a Kings team that finished last in the NBA in free-throw percentage.
Not only that, but it could push the Lakers down in the standings, which also helps the Hawks. The Hawks own the Lakers 2025 unprotected 1st round pick and this move could push Sacramento above the Lakers in the Western Conference Standings.
Secondly, the 2025 draft projects to be much better than the 2024 class. Betting on the Hawks to get Cooper Flagg, the current favorite to go first overall, seems very unlikely. However, players like VJ Edgecombe, Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, Rocco Zikarsky, Khaman Maluach, Hugo Gonzalez and more all project as particularly strong options. The 2025 class has a clearly defined candidate for the top pick – Flagg – while also having several athletic wings and big men that fit the mold of players valued by the modern NBA. If the Hawks did not have a first round selection in this draft, it would definitely be dissapointing. However, there is now a good chance they will have an opportunity to select someone in the middle part of the first-round.
Gary Parrish of CBS Sports recently did a mock draft for the 2025 cycle that saw the Hawks selecting Texas guard Tre Johnson with the 13th overall selection. His thoughts on Johnson can be found below.
Johnson is coming off of a senior year of high school in which he shot nearly 40% from 3-point range and better than 90% from the free-throw line. If the 6-6 guard posts similar numbers during his freshman season in the SEC, he could crack the top five of next year’s draft, mostly because guards with size who are proven 3-point shooters over multiple years are difficult to pass on.
A guard with size who can shoot seems like a seamless fit next to Trae Young. Johnson found success at Link Academy in an off-ball role where he used his frame, footwork and excellent jump shot to create space against defenses. If his scoring ability translates to the SEC, he might not make it to the Hawks’ selection.
While getting more wings with two-way potential is never a bad idea, I’m intrigued by the possiblity of Atlanta selecting a big man. Even if they are able to move Clint Capela, there is a chance that Onyeka Okongwu struggles in a full-time role. Players like Maluach, Ohio State’s Aaron Bradshaw and Croatian center Zvonimir Ivisic could be interesting options for the Hawks in next year’s draft.
Atlanta, GA
2 arrested in deadly drive-by shooting of 7-year-old Atlanta girl, police say
Two suspects in a shooting that left a 7-year-old Atlanta girl dead and her mother injured are now in custody nearly a week after the violence, police say.
The shooting happened around 9:45 p.m. on Feb. 24 at a home on the 2200 block of Tiger Flowers Drive NW.
Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from a dispute between one of the victim’s family members and the gunman over the phone. Thirty minutes after the argument, the suspect came back and fired shots into the home, police said.
Officers responding to the scene found a 44-year-old woman and her daughter, identified as 7-year-old Zoe Price, shot. Medics rushed the pair to a local hospital, but Price died from her injuries.
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said the department’s homicide unit secured an arrest warrant for 19-year-old Preston Smith two days after the shooting. Smith turned himself in to the Fulton County Jail on March 2.
Schierbaum said officers executed a search warrant on Feb. 27 at a home on McDaniel Street. On that day, 17-year-old Steven Richardson, who police described as an “accomplice,” turned himself in to authorities.
Both men are charged with murder, criminal attempt to commit murder, three counts of aggravated assault, second-degree criminal damage to property, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and four counts of third-degree cruelty to children. Richardson is also charged with possession of a Firearm by a Person Under 18.
At a press conference to announce the arrests, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens described Price as a bright and compassionate little girl who was “full of energy and full of joy.”
“Her life was cut short in an act of senseless violence, and that loss is not abstract. It is a chair that is going to be missing at the dinner table each night. It is an empty classroom seat next to her friends,” Dickens said.
The mayor called the arrests “a step forward towards justice” for Price’s family and families across the city.
Dickens said that violence, like the act that took Price’s life, would not be tolerated in Atlanta.
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Braves News: Top 30 Prospects, Starting Pitching Depth, More
On Monday, the Braves were able to earn another Spring Training victory over the Detroit Tigers. It was a game where the starting pitching depth of the Braves was on full display, as Bryce Elder, Joey Wentz, and Owen Murphy all threw multiple innings. While it is likely unwise to expect big things from any of these three arms this season, they are a part of the “next man up” group for the Braves if injury again impacts the rotation. Each had a solid effort today, a trend that will hopefully continue.
Atlanta, GA
Luke Kornet calls on Atlanta Hawks to cancel ‘Magic City Monday’ promo
2026 NBA All-Star Game marks major positive step forward
The 2026 NBA All-Star Game takes a major positive step forward with real competition led by Victor Wembanyama, Anthony Edwards and rising stars.
An NBA player from an opposing team has called on the Atlanta Hawks to cancel their upcoming game promotion that revolves around celebrating a well-known local gentleman’s club.
San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet asked the Hawks to reconsider their “Magic City Monday” plans for a March 16 game against the Orlando Magic in a letter posted to Medium on Monday, March 2. Atlanta’s ownership group and front office recently touted the one-night collaboration as an ode to an “iconic cultural institution,” citing Magic City’s role and impact in Atlanta’s Black communities and hip-hop culture in the announcement.
But Kornet wrote that “the Hawks failed to acknowledge that this place is, as the business itself boasts, ‘Atlanta’s premier strip club.’ “
“The NBA should desire to protect and esteem women, many of whom work diligently every day to make this the best basketball league in the world,” Kornet continued. “We should promote an atmosphere that is protective and respectful of the daughters, wives, sisters, mothers, and partners that we know and love.
“Allowing this night to go forward without protest would reflect poorly on us as an NBA community, specifically in being complicit in the potential objectification and mistreatment of women in our society.”
Magic City Kitchen is also slated to serve two versions of its “world famous” lemon pepper wings – Louwill Lemon Pepper BBQ – at the March 16 game. The flavor is named after three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year-winner, Lou Williams. Rapper T.I. is scheduled to perform at halftime and limited edition Magic City merchandise will be available to purchase at the game.
Magic City celebrated 40 years with a five-part STARZ docuseries, ‘Magic City: An American Fantasy,’ that was produced by Hawks principal owner Jami Gertz and Atlanta native Jermaine Dupri. Magic City founder Michael “Mr. Magic” Barney and T.I. are scheduled to record a live podcast from inside Atlanta’s State Farm Arena before the game.
Kornet, 30, hopes the Hawks and NBA officials listen to him instead.
“I’d like to encourage the league, its owners, employees and fans to hold the Atlanta Hawks to a higher standard of what they find worthy of promoting,” Kornet wrote. “I and others throughout the league were surprised by and object to the Hawks’ decision. We desire to provide an environment where fans of all ages can safely come and enjoy the game of basketball and where we can celebrate the history and culture of communities in good conscience. The celebration of a strip club is not conduct aligned with that vision.”
Luke Kornet stats
Kornet is averaging a career-best 7.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists in his first season with the Spurs. This is the sixth team he’s played for in his nine NBA seasons, with his previous four years spent on the Boston Celtics.
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