Trade idea sends Rockets’ Fred VanVleet to Hawks in three-team deal

Just to be clear, Fred VanVleet has not been traded to the Hawks.

Nobody is reporting that a trade is close. This is September, actual NBA business has slowed down and proposed trades are one of the ways we entertain ourselves until training camp.

With that disclaimer handled, Jackson Caudell of NBA On SI constructed an interesting three-team deal involving the Hawks, Rockets and Celtics. The proposal:

• Hawks receive: Fred VanVleet and Luka Garza
• Rockets receive: Corey Kispert, Mouhamed Gueye, Sam Hauser and a protected 2027 first-round pick
• Celtics receive: Buddy Hield and Clint Capela

Atlanta’s motivation would be straightforward. VanVleet would provide leadership, defense, shooting and another proven ball-handler, allowing CJ McCollum to move into a bench role while Kingston Flemings develops at a more reasonable pace.

VanVleet is returning from injury and entering the final year of his contract, so the Hawks wouldn’t be making a massive long-term commitment. They could keep him for the season, use him in another trade or simply allow the contract to expire and create additional flexibility next summer.

Houston would add needed shooting and another first-round pick while continuing to develop Reed Sheppard. Boston would save money by exchanging Hauser for Hield and add Capela as a veteran center behind Mitchell Robinson and Neemias Queta.

Would everyone agree? Probably not. Three-team trades are difficult enough before imaginary general managers start approving them from their couches.

Still, the basic idea is worth discussing. VanVleet would fill a legitimate Atlanta need without tying up the Hawks financially for years.

That doesn’t make it a rumor. It does make it a pretty decent September trade machine creation.