Sat, Jul 6, 2019 at 12:00am

NETS, HAWKS SWAP PRINCE, CRABBE

The Atlanta Hawks acquired guard/forward Allen Crabbe, guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker and a conditional first-round draft pick in 2020 from the Brooklyn Nets for forward Taurean Prince and a second-round draft pick in 2021.

What does it give the Atlanta Hawks
The NBA's off-season has yet to officially get under way, and the playoffs are still ongoing, but Atlanta and Brooklyn have already made a big splash on the trade front. Adding Crabbe gives Atlanta a very good (when he is on top of his game and fully healthy) three-point shooter who can either start or come off the bench. More importantly, the Hawks were able to land both the 17th overall selection in this year's NBA draft and Brooklyn's first rounder in '20 (so long as it is not among the first 14 picks next year). That was the reward for absorbing Crabbe's $18.5 million cap hit for 2019-20. Atlanta did very well here because Crabbe is only under contract through next season, so the team can walk away if this does not work out a year from now. Atlanta now owns the 8th, 10th and 17th picks in this year's draft.

What does it give the Brooklyn Nets
For Brooklyn, this deal is all about creating as much salary cap space as possible. The difference in cap hits between Crabbe and Prince in 2019-20 is over $15 million! That was the motivation for the Nets to send two first rounders over the next two years to Atlanta. In Prince, Brooklyn adds a solid small forward who could replace another former Hawk (DeMarre Carroll, who is scheduled for unrestricted free agency) next season. Prince is still only 25 years old, so there may still be some upside here. With the savings, Brooklyn is expected to go after a top free agent this summer (or two). Point guard Kyrie Irving is rumored to be at the head of the Nets' wish list at present time. Stay tuned!

Fantasy impact
Prince had a starting role in Atlanta, which is now not a guarantee in Brooklyn. Therefore, he cannot be recommended in most fantasy league drafts heading into 2019-20 (although there is still plenty of time for that to change). As for Crabbe, he is very streaky but might prove to be a nice backcourt mate to point guard Trae Young in Atlanta. He might come off the bench as a sixth man, as well. Crabbe may be worth a look in the later rounds.