With the recent announcement that guard Kobe Bufkin will miss time with a dislocated shoulder, the backup point guard position becomes a major question for the Hawks. Vit Krejci handled most of those responsibilities in yesterday’s game against the Wizards, but he was knocked out of the game in the second quarter with a right adductor injury.

With Krejci and Bufkin both injured, it increases the possibility that two-way guard Keaton Wallace gets a real run with the Hawks as a backup behind Trae Young. Wallace is a talented player who could certainly fill that role adequately, but it’s pretty clear that there are significant questions about who Atlanta’s backup point guard will be. If Krejci misses extended time, general manager Landry Fields will need to consider bringing in some help to keep the Hawks’ bench units afloat.

Fields could simply go out and sign one of the guards available in free agency to take on those responsibilities, but the Hawks might prefer a better solution in order to take pressure off Trae Young and actually improve their rotation.

Here are four candidates who could fill this role:

Cole Anthony – Orlando Magic

Trade: Atlanta gets Anthony, Orlando gets Cody Zeller, David Roddy, Garrison Mathews and a 2025 2nd round pick.

Why the Hawks would do it: Anthony is an athletic ball handler who can play solid defense and shoot 33-34% from deep with decent volume. He’s a respectable passer who can keep an offense on schedule. When he’s on a good stretch of play, he can be considered one of the best backup point guards in basketball.

Why the Hawks wouldn’t do it: Anthony’s career thus far has been plagued by inconsistency. His cold streaks can make him completely ineffective as an offensive player. Additionally, his $12.9 million salary makes him one of the more expensive backup point guard options.

Why Magic would do it: The future of the Magic’s point guard rotation clearly lies between Anthony Black and Jalen Suggs. Anthony has fallen out of favor in this competition – landing Mathews gives the Magic a chance to improve their spacing.

Why the Magic wouldn’t do it: Anthony’s playing time isn’t huge, but he’s one of the few guards on the Magic roster. Their roster is very wing- and big-leaning, so they also have a scarcity of ball-handling options outside of Suggs, Black, and Paolo Banchero. Therefore, they might want to keep him instead of accepting Atlanta’s lowly offer.

Dennis Schröder – Brooklyn Nets

Trade: Atlanta gets Schroder and Bojan Bogdanovic, Brooklyn gets DeAndre Hunter, Larry Nance Jr and a 2028 1st round pick (top-8 protected)

Why the Hawks would do it: They are giving up a significant long-term commitment in DeAndre Hunter’s contract to open up more salary cap flexibility moving forward while also getting a great backup point guard. Schroder is an excellent passer with more shooting ability than Anthony. Bogdanovic and Schroder are also one-year contracts, so they don’t affect the Hawks’ flexibility moving forward.

Why the Hawks wouldn’t do it: Bogdanovic has yet to play a game due to recovering from foot surgery, so there is still some risk in this deal for Atlanta. Additionally, Schroder isn’t always the most portable player as he struggled in Toronto before being traded to Brooklyn last year. The idea of ​​giving up a first-round pick to move this deal forward would also give Atlanta some pause.

Why the Nets would do it: The Nets are actively trying to be one of the worst teams in basketball. Any veteran who offers skills that would be useful to a contender and doesn’t fit the team’s schedule should be in discussion to be moved. Schroder’s position has several long-term suitors and Brooklyn can add another first-round pick to its impressive roster. They would also be banking on Hunter to bring two-way talent to their roster in hopes of being a complementary player to the young prospects they are recruiting.

Why the Nets wouldn’t: Brooklyn still needs some sort of offensive structure to evaluate its players. Schroder is a selfless player who helps his teammates fit into this structure through his passing. Additionally, he is a leader on the team and helps create a positive culture for development in Brooklyn. It’s also possible that Bogdanovic and Schroder both have higher trade values ​​at the deadline.

Vasilje Micic – Charlotte Hornets

Trade: Charlotte gets Larry Nance Jr, Atlanta gets Micic, DaQuan Jefferies and a 2025 2nd round pick (NOP)

Why the Hawks would do it: Micic looked like a solid backup point guard last year for the Hornets, scoring 10.8 points and 6.2 assists while shooting splits of 43.7/29.4/83.9. He doesn’t really space the floor, but he always made good reads and did a great job organizing a Charlotte offense that struggled throughout the year due to the team’s talent.

Why the Hawks wouldn’t do it: Last year’s caveat is crucial as he had a brutal start to the season. In his last outing against the Miami Heat, he recorded zero points and one assist in 10 minutes of action. The 30-year-old hasn’t been a factor for the Hornets this year. There is a pretty significant risk that Micic is simply unplayable.

Why the Hornets would do it: They have a replacement for Micic on the roster in Nick Smith Jr and Micic’s age prevents him from being a legitimate part of the team’s long-term future. Additionally, Nance is good insurance against injuries in the absence of starting center Mark Williams.

Why the Hornets wouldn’t: There really aren’t many downsides to this deal for Charlotte. Nance not making an impact would be disappointing, but his contract also expires at the end of the year.

Jevon Carter – Chicago Bulls

Trade: Atlanta gets Carter, Chicago gets David Roddy, Garrison Mathews and a 2025 2nd round pick (MIN)

Why the Hawks would do it: Carter is relatively cheap to acquire, has one year left on contract, and offers skill as an undersized defender. He was a good defender during his time with the Bucks and it’s possible a change of scenery could revive that ability.

Why the Hawks wouldn’t do it: Carter shot a brutal 32% from deep last season. Additionally, he doesn’t offer much as a playmaker or scorer. If his shooting isn’t successful, he doesn’t provide the secondary skills needed to compensate most nights.

Why the Bulls would do it: They have a blockage at the point guard position. Ayo Dosomnu, Josh Giddey, Lonzo Ball, Coby White and Carter are all untenable on the same roster. One of these players should be moved to fill roster holes – Carter is the ideal candidate. His age and lack of high-end upside means he’s a perfect role player for a playoff team that will struggle to find its team context on a rebuilding team.

Why the Bulls wouldn’t do it: David Roddy has yet to find a real role in the NBA even though he is a rebounding force. Mathews should help space teams out, but he’s not exactly a volume shooter from deep (2.9 attempts per game in 2023-24). Neither player has the upside that Chicago likely covets.