Hawks Complete Trade with Sacramento Kings; Acquire Justin Holiday, Maurice Harkless and a Future First Round Pick, in Exchange for Kevin Huerter
ATLANTA – The Atlanta Hawks acquired guard Justin Holiday, forward Maurice Harkless and a future first round pick, in exchange for guard Kevin Huerter, the team announced today.
“In acquiring Justin and Moe, we add two defensive-minded, quality veterans who can help our team on the court and in the locker room,” said Hawks President of Basketball Operations Travis Schlenk. “We would like to thank Kevin for his contributions, both on and off the court. He grew as a player and person in his four seasons with us and we wish him the best in Sacramento.”
Holiday, who was acquired by Sacramento on Feb. 8 in a trade with the Indiana Pacers, appeared in 74 total games during the 2021-22 season (65 starts), averaging 10.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 27.8 minutes (.394 FG%, .367 3FG%, .806 FT%).
He put in 10-or-more points on 37 occasions this past season, including pouring in a season-high 27 points on 9-11 shooting from the field and a 6-8 mark from three-point territory in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Nov. 13. Holiday’s .818 field goal percentage in the victory marked a career-high clip from the floor (min. 10 FGA).
From the 2018-19 campaign through the 2020-21 season, the 6-6 guard saw action in every game (227 total games, 135 starts). Holiday brings nine years of NBA playing experience to the Hawks, having suited up for the Philadelphia 76ers (2012-13), Golden State Warriors (2014-15), Atlanta Hawks (2015-16), Chicago Bulls (2015-16, 2017-18), New York Knicks (2016-17), Memphis Grizzlies (2018-19), Indiana Pacers (2019-22) and Sacramento Kings (2021-22).
He has appeared in 576 games (285 starts), tallying 8.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 24.6 minutes (.398 FG%, .365 3FG%, .820 FT%). He has also seen action in nine postseason games (two starts), registering 3.6 points and 1.8 rebounds in 15.8 minutes (.478 FG%, .529 3FG%).
Holiday brings international playing experience to Atlanta, having played for Okapi Aalstar (2011-12, Belgium) and Szolnoki Olaj (2013-14, Hungary). The Chatsworth, California, native suited up for the Washington Huskies from 2007-11, earning a spot on the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team in 2010. Holiday’s younger brother, Aaron, was recently signed by the Atlanta Hawks, while his other brother, Jrue, is a member of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Harkless appeared in 47 games (24 starts) for the Kings during the 2021-22 season, notching 4.6 points and 2.4 rebounds in 18.4 minutes (.459 FG%, .307 3FG%, .714 FT%). He recorded a double-double in a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Feb. 5, tallying a season-high tying 18 points on 7-14 shooting from the floor, including a 4-8 clip from the three-point line, and a season-high 11 rebounds in 38 minutes.
Drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 15th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, Harkless has appeared in 621 games (372 starts) over his 10-year career, averaging 6.9 points and 3.5 rebounds in 22.6 minutes (.474 FG%, .320 3FG%, .624 FT%). Acquired by the Orlando Magic as part of a four-team trade prior to the start of his rookie season, the 6-7 forward has played for the Magic (2012-15), Portland Trail Blazers (2015-19), LA Clippers (2019-20), New York Knicks (2019-20), Miami Heat (2020-21) and Sacramento Kings (2020-22).
He has appeared in 33 postseason games (32 starts), owning averages of 9.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.0 steal in 24.6 minutes (.436 FG%, .289 3FG%, .609 FT%).
A native of Queens, New York, Harkless played collegiately at St. John’s for one season (2011-12) before entering the NBA Draft. In his sole season suiting up for the Red Storm, he was named the BIG EAST Rookie of the Year, as well as a member of the BIG EAST All-Rookie Team and an All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention.
Huerter was selected by the Hawks with the No. 19 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. In four seasons in Atlanta, the 6-7 guard appeared in 274 games (216 starts), averaging 11.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 29.6 minutes (.431 FG%, .379 3FG%, .788 FT%). He put in 563 three-pointers during his Hawks career, the sixth-most in franchise history.
Huerter also saw action in 23 playoff games (15 starts), compiling 10.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 31.0 minutes (.414 FG%, .333 3FG%, .714 FT%). In an Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 7 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on June 20, 2021, he poured in 27 points on 10-18 shooting from the field, including a 2-4 clip from deep, in addition to seven rebounds, three assists and one steal in 40 minutes of play.