Kings Officially Acquire Kevin Huerter In Trade With Hawks

The Kings have acquired shooting guard Kevin Huerter from the Hawks in exchange for guard/forward Justin Holiday and forward Maurice Harkless, the Hawks announced in a press release.

“In acquiring Justin and Moe, we add two defensive-minded, quality veterans who can help our team on the court and in the locker room,” Hawks president of basketball operations Travis Schlenk said. “We would like to thank Kevin for his contributions, both on and off the court. He grew as a player and person in his four seasons with us and we wish him the best in Sacramento.”

Atlanta acquired All-Star guard Dejounte Murray in a deal with the Spurs last week, leading to the trade of Huerter.

It has been quite an offseason both the Kings and Hawks, as both teams are retooling with an eye on the postseason. The Kings have not been since 2006; the Hawks lost in the fist round in 2021-22.

Along with Huerter, the Kings added guard Malik Monk (Lakers) to the backcourt, as we relayed here.

Huerter, 23, is 6-foot-7 and averaged 12.1 points and 3.4 rebounds in 74 appearances last season. A constant perimeter threat, he shot 45 percent from the field as well.

Holiday, 33, is 6-6 and was acquired by the Kings from the Pacers in February. He averaged 8.3 points in 25 games last season. This will actually mark his second stint in Atlanta, as he also played there during the 2015-16 season. He returns as a seasoned veteran who should be a productive player in reserve.

Holiday has also spent time with the Grizzlies, Bulls, Knicks, Warriors and 76ers.

The same is true of Harkless, 33, a 6-7 combo forward who has spent the past two seasons with the Kings. He averaged 4.6 points in 47 games last season.

Per the Hawks’ press release:

Holiday, who was acquired by Sacramento on Feb. 8 in a trade with the Indiana Pacers, appeared in 74 total games during the 2021-22 season (65 starts), averaging 10.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 27.8 minutes (.394 FG%, .367 3FG%, .806 FT%). He put in 10-or-more points on 37 occasions this past season, including pouring in a season-high 27 points on 9-11 shooting from the field and a 6-8 mark from three-point territory in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Nov. 13. Holiday’s .818 field goal percentage in the victory marked a career-high clip from the floor (min. 10 FGA).

From the 2018-19 campaign through the 2020-21 season, the 6-6 guard saw action in every game (227 total games, 135 starts). Holiday brings nine years of NBA playing experience to the Hawks, having suited up for the Philadelphia 76ers (2012-13), Golden State Warriors (2014-15), Atlanta Hawks (2015-16), Chicago Bulls (2015-16, 2017-18), New York Knicks (2016-17), Memphis Grizzlies (2018-19), Indiana Pacers (2019-22) and Sacramento Kings (2021-22). He has appeared in 576 games (285 starts), tallying 8.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 24.6 minutes (.398 FG%, .365 3FG%, .820 FT%). He has also seen action in nine postseason games (two starts), registering 3.6 points and 1.8 rebounds in 15.8 minutes (.478 FG%, .529 3FG%).

Holiday brings international playing experience to Atlanta, having played for Okapi Aalstar (2011-12, Belgium) and Szolnoki Olaj (2013-14, Hungary). The Chatsworth, California, native suited up for the Washington Huskies from 2007-11, earning a spot on the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team in 2010. Holiday’s younger brother, Aaron, was recently signed by the Atlanta Hawks, while his older brother, Jrue, is a member of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Harkless appeared in 47 games (24 starts) for the Kings during the 2021-22 season, notching 4.6 points and 2.4 rebounds in 18.4 minutes (.459 FG%, .307 3FG%, .714 FT%). He recorded a double-double in a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Feb. 5, tallying a season-high tying 18 points on 7-14 shooting from the floor, including a 4-8 clip from the three-point line, and a season-high 11 rebounds in 38 minutes.

Drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 15^th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, Harkless has appeared in 621 games (372 starts) over his 10-year career, averaging 6.9 points and 3.5 rebounds in 22.6 minutes (.474 FG%, .320 3FG%, .624 FT%). Acquired by the Orlando Magic as part of a four-team trade prior to the start of his rookie season, the 6-7 forward has played for the Magic (2012-15), Portland Trail Blazers (2015-19), LA Clippers (2019-20), New York Knicks (2019-20), Miami Heat (2020-21) and Sacramento Kings (2020-22). He has appeared in 33 postseason games (32 starts), owning averages of 9.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.0 steal in 24.6 minutes (.436 FG%, .289 3FG%, .609 FT%).

A native of Queens, New York, Harkless played collegiately at St. John’s for one season (2011-12) before entering the NBA Draft. In his sole season suiting up for the Red Storm, he was named the BIG EAST Rookie of the Year, as well as a member of the BIG EAST All-Rookie Team and an All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention.

Huerter was selected by the Hawks with the No. 19 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. In four seasons in Atlanta, the 6-7 guard appeared in 274 games (216 starts), averaging 11.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 29.6 minutes (.431 FG%, .379 3FG%, .788 FT%). He put in 563 three-pointers during his Hawks career, the sixth-most in franchise history. Huerter also saw action in 23 playoff games (15 starts), compiling 10.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 31.0 minutes (.414 FG%, .333 3FG%, .714 FT%). In an Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 7 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on June 20, 2021, he poured in 27 points on 10-18 shooting from the field, including a 2-4 clip from deep, in addition to seven rebounds, three assists and one steal in 40 minutes of play.