More Offseason Analysis: Coaching changes, news | Free Agency | Draft
The Atlanta Hawks are in position to add another major component or two to their roster this summer, and GM Danny Ferry has been great about clearing cap space for a team that previously didn't have that luxury. The goal is to get into position to be able to offer a max contract or close to it this summer to some free agent this summer, or they can use that cap space/flexibility in a trade for a veteran to add to their roster.
They just got a step closer to having maximum cap space. ESPN.com's Marc Stein is reporting the Hawks are trading Lou Williams to the Toronto Raptors for John Salmons. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports is reporting the draft rights to Lucas Nogueira are also headed to the Raptors in this deal.
ESPN has learned that Toronto Raptors are in advanced trade discussions to deal John Salmons to Atlanta for Lou Williams. Story going online
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 30, 2014
Toronto has traded John Salmons to Atlanta for Lou Williams and Bebe Nugiera, source tells Yahoo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) June 30, 2014
Only $1 million of Salmons' $7 million contract for next season is guaranteed but he has to be waived on Monday. Assuming the projected salary cap of $62.3 million is what NBA teams actually get this summer, waiving Salmons would put the Hawks around $18 million in cap space. That number would be down to about $16.5 million after signing first round pick Adreian Payne to his rookie deal.
For the Raptors, this gives them a solid backup scoring guard off the bench. Adding Nogueira to the roster would give the Raptors another defensive-minded center. After drafting Bruno Caboclo from Brazil, it would also give the Raptors a second Brazilian player.
