By: Stephen Patterson
The Atlanta Hawks are rumored to be in the market for an upgrade at the point guard position in an effort to catch up with some of their rivals in an ever-improving Eastern Conference.
With the New York Knicks finally completing their blockbuster acquisition of Carmelo Anthony, the Hawks now find themselves struggling to make a move to stay relevant in the East.
One of the main positions the Hawks are looking to upgrade via trade is the point guard position as Mike Bibby's production continues to decline with his increasing age.
If Atlanta wants to stay competitive in the East with teams like the Chicago Bulls and Knicks seemingly passing them in their quest to catch the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics at the top of the conference, they have to get a deal done before Thursday's trade deadline.
Here is a look at five potential targets at the point guard position and the odds that they will end up with the Hawks before the deadline passes:
Devin Harris
The Nets have been trying to move Harris and now that they are officially out of the running to try to acquire Carmelo Anthony, it's likely New Jersey will move Harris before the deadline.
Harris is averaging 15 points and a career-high 7.6 assists per game this season and would obviously be a huge offensive upgrade over Bibby.
However, with the Nets reportedly also receiving interest from the Portland Trail Blazers and Dallas Mavericks for Harris, I don't think Atlanta will enough pieces to pry him away from New Jersey.
Odds: 25-1
Andre Miller
Portland has been mentioned in rumors for weeks linking them to potential trades involving Miller, making it seem highly likely that the Blazers will get something done before the deadline.
One of the main contributing factors behind Portland's decision to potentially move Miller is their desire to go younger and collect draft picks with the question marks surrounding Greg Oden and Brandon Roy's respective injury issues.
Considering the Hawks don't have an abundance of young talent or high draft picks, I don't they have a very good chance of landing Miller unless they involve a third team.
Odds: 12-1
Raymond Felton
Felton went from being considered an All-Star snub by some just a few weeks ago to being viewed as a backup for the Nuggets if he stays in Denver since arriving in the Melo trade.
Felton is talented enough to be a starter on most teams and that list definitely includes the Hawks. If Atlanta could somehow land Felton, it might be enough to keep them on the borderline of being on the top tier in the Eastern Conference.
An offer of Marvin Williams or Jamal Crawford and his expiring $10.1 million contract might be enough to pry Felton away from Denver, but only if another team doesn't present a more attractive offer.
Odds: 10-1
Kirk Hinrich
While the addition of Hinrich probably wouldn't be quite the difference maker for the Hawks that one of the previously mentioned players might provide, he is still a talented guard who would have to be considered an upgrade over Mike Bibby.
Hinrich is averaging 11.1 points and 4.4 assists per game this season for the Washington Wizards as he has split time between starting and coming off the bench.
Even though the addition of Hinrich might not thrust the Hawks up multiple spots in the standings, he would give them an upgrade at point guard and would be much easier to obtain than the previously mentioned players.
Odds: 5-2
Ramon Sessions
The Hawks have reportedly already made an offer to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Sessions, offering Maurice Evans and Jeff Teague in exchange.
Sessions would probably welcome the change in scenery as he has spent the first half of the season playing in the aftermath of Cleveland's first post-LeBron season, which for the record hasn't been very pleasant.
His 12.3 points and 5.3 assists per game would be a modest upgrade over Bibby's 9.4 points and 3.6 assists and would give the Hawks a deeper backcourt.
It would also give first-year head coach Larry Drew the option of moving Crawford and Sessions ahead of Bibby on the depth chart.
Odds: 2-1
