Hawks Trade Krejci to Blazers in Mid-Season Shakeup
The Atlanta Hawks traded sharpshooting guard Vit Krejci to the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday in exchange for forward Duop Reath and two future second-round picks, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The Trail Blazers will send Portland’s own 2027 second-rounder back to Atlanta along with New York’s 2030 second-rounder, both controlled by Portland from previous acquisitions.
Why the Hawks Made the Move
Krejci, 25, has spent four of his five NBA seasons in Atlanta and emerged as a reliable floor spacer this season, averaging 9.0 points per game while shooting 42.3% from three-point range on an elevated role. The Czech guard has also connected on 44.6% of his catch-and-shoot attempts, ranking 16th among 179 qualifying players in the NBA.
Despite his career-best performance, the Hawks determined there was insufficient rotation space for Krejci alongside fellow three-point specialists Luke Kennard and Corey Kispert. The trade allows Atlanta to consolidate at the guard position while bolstering its draft capital. The Hawks now control seven future second-round picks, providing significant flexibility for roster construction.
What Portland Gets in Return
The Trail Blazers acquire a cost-controlled asset on a team-friendly deal. Krejci earns $2.3 million this season with a non-guaranteed $2.7 million in 2026-27 and a $3 million team option for 2027-28. His floor spacing addresses a need for a Portland squad competing for a play-in tournament berth, adding shooting prowess to complement the team’s current roster.
The Reath Factor
Duop Reath, the Atlanta-bound piece in the trade, underwent season-ending foot surgery Thursday after being diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right foot. The stretch five with rim-protecting potential will not see action this season, entering restricted free agency in the offseason. While Reath’s immediate impact is limited, the acquisition of two future draft picks provides Atlanta with greater roster flexibility and potential future assets to address roster gaps.
