Hawks secure Usman Garuba, TyTy Washington Jr., and future draft picks
In a strategic move that promises to shape their future, the Atlanta Hawks have successfully orchestrated a complex multi-team trade deal. This significant development, unveiled earlier today, sees the Hawks securing Usman Garuba, TyTy Washington Jr., and a handful of future draft picks from Houston, coupled with cash considerations courtesy of Oklahoma City. As part of the transaction, Houston claims the draft rights to Atlanta’s Alpha Kaba, the final choice in the 60-player lineup of the 2017 NBA Draft. The transaction’s expansive nature also involved the LA Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies, adding an additional layer of intrigue to this far-reaching trade deal.
Usman Garuba, during the 2022-23 season, made appearances in 75 games with the Rockets, starting in one, and averaged 3.0 points and 4.1 rebounds in 12.9 minutes of play. He displayed commendable shooting percentages, with .486 from the field, .407 from beyond the arc, and .617 from the free-throw line. Notably, Garuba achieved a flawless shooting record in 15 games, ranking among the top 12 such performances in the league that season.
The 6-foot-8 forward hailing from Madrid, Spain, was selected by Houston as the 23rd overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Over his two-year career, he has participated in a total of 99 games, recording averages of 2.8 points and 3.9 rebounds in 12.2 minutes of play. Garuba also showcased his skills with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA G League, appearing in 11 games (all as a starter) during the 2021-22 season and notching impressive stats of 9.2 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.64 steals, and 1.09 blocks in 24.6 minutes per game.
TyTy Washington Jr., selected as the 29th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by Houston, had an active rookie season, playing in 31 games (two as a starter). He averaged 4.7 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 14.0 minutes per game. Washington Jr. also gained valuable experience with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, participating in a total of 18 games (all as a starter) and registering notable statistics of 23.1 points, 6.0 assists, and 4.6 rebounds in 34.7 minutes of play.
During his collegiate career at the University of Kentucky, Washington Jr. made a significant impact and earned recognition as he was named to the All-SEC Freshman Team, Second Team All-SEC (coaches), and became a semifinalist for the Jerry West Award. In his lone season with the Wildcats in 2021-22, he showcased his abilities in 31 games (29 as a starter) and delivered impressive averages of 12.5 points, 3.9 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.3 steals in 29.2 minutes per game.
Alpha Kaba, initially chosen by the Hawks as the 60th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, is now joining Houston as part of this trade agreement.
The completion of this five-team trade allows the Atlanta Hawks to bolster their roster with the addition of Usman Garuba, TyTy Washington Jr., and future draft picks from Houston, strengthening their prospects for the future.
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