Dewayne Dedmon averaged 8.1 points and 8.2 rebounds per game for the Hawks last season.
Two teams with playoff aspirations in the Eastern Conference have made a trade to address some key needs.
The Atlanta Hawks have sent center Dewayne Dedmon to the Detroit Pistons for guards Tony Snell and Khyri Thomas, the latter of whom was waived by Atlanta. The trade was first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and was confirmed by the teams today. The move frees up considerable salary cap room for the Hawks after shedding Dedmon, who is making $13.3 million this season. Snell will make $12.1 million in 2020-21, which is the final year of his contract, while Dedmon’s $13.3 million for 2021-22 is non-guaranteed.
Dedmon gives the Pistons a frontcourt presence and rebounder. He averaged 8.1 points and 8.2 rebounds in 10 games with the Hawks last season after being traded there by the Sacramento Kings on Feb. 6.
Detroit struggled to get rebounds and defensive stops last season overall, but took a particular dive in both categories after it traded All-Star center Andre Drummond to Cleveland. From Feb. 6 to the season’s hiatus on March 11, the Pistons ranked 25th in rebound percentage (48.1%) and Defensive Rating (114.8), two categories that Dedmon may be able to help Detroit address. The Pistons were busy on Draft night, picking German guard Killian Hayes at No. 7 overall and trading Luke Kennard to the LA Clippers.
Tony Snell averaged 8 points and 2.2 assists per game last season.
The Hawks used last season’s NBA trade deadline to address their deficiency at center. They acquired center Clint Capela from Houston as part of a 12-player, four-team trade and he is seen as a foundational player along with phenom Trae Young, guard Kevin Huerter and forward John Collins. Atlanta also added to its frontline in the 2020 NBA Draft, taking former USC big man Onyeka Okongwu with the No. 6 overall pick.
Snell is a solid 3-point shooter, making 40.2% of those shots last season with the Pistons and is a career 38.5% shooter from 3-point range. His ability to stretch the floor will help Young as well as give big men John Collins and Clint Capela more room to operate on offense.
Last season was Snell’s first with the Pistons after he arrived in a 2019 Draft-day swap with the Milwaukee Bucks. Overall, Snell averaged 8 points, 1.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 40.2% on 3-pointers in 59 games (57 starts) with Detroit.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
