Some say that in the NBA, defense wins championships. Perhaps that’s true. Still, offense will certainly win you a lot of basketball games. 

Yes, the best teams in the NBA are generally two-way teams. Still, if you’ve got to choose between tying to outscore your opponent and trying to stop them from scoring, you’re better off running and gunning. 

For a number of years, the Atlanta Hawks have been doing exactly that. This summer, they acquired Dejounte Murray in a bid to clean up their defense.

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It worked: the Hawks have had one of the best defenses in 2022-23 so far. 

Unfortunately, the offense has suffered. It’s hard to pin that on Murray – he’s a complete, two-way player. Still, the offensive fit between him and Trae Young in the backcourt may be problematic. 

Could the Hawks acquire another offensive superstar to offset that issue? Here’s a deal that has them doing so by landing Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

 

Charlotte Hornets Receive: C Onyeka Onkongwu, G/F Wendell Moore Jr. 

Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: F/C John Collins, G Terry Rozier, 2024 First-Round Pick (CHA), 2024 First-Round Pick (SAC via ATL), 2029 First-Round Pick (ATL) 

Atlanta Hawks Receive: F/C Karl-Anthony Towns, G Austin Rivers