Atlanta Targeted Hinrich for Backcourt Defense
The Hawks sent Mike Bibby, young guard Jordan Crawford, Maurice Evans and a 2011 first-round selection to Washington on February 23, 2011, receiving Kirk Hinrich and Hilton Armstrong. Atlanta was trying to improve its defense at point guard around Joe Johnson, Josh Smith and Al Horford. Hinrich had a more disciplined defensive reputation than Bibby, and Armstrong offered situational size. Washington was rebuilding and preferred Crawford's developmental upside alongside a first-round choice rather than relying on another veteran backcourt combination.
Hinrich Helped Atlanta During the 2011 Playoffs
Hinrich became a useful member of the Hawks rotation and gave the team another experienced ball handler during its postseason push. His perimeter defense helped Atlanta compete against Orlando before the Hawks were eliminated by Chicago in the next round. Armstrong supplied much less direct value. The trade did meet a short-term need, but Hinrich was not an enduring Hawks point-guard answer whose production justified every outgoing component. His useful playoff performance deserves acknowledgment without stretching it into several seasons of Atlanta success.
Crawford and a First-Rounder Improved Washington's Return
Crawford developed into an important young scoring guard for the Wizards, providing more lasting playing opportunities than several other players in the transaction. Washington used the first-round choice at No. 18 in 2011 on forward Chris Singleton, adding another player to its rebuilding roster. The veteran Bibby did not become a Wizards cornerstone; he was waived shortly after arriving. Evans also represented a transitional piece. The team's longer-term benefit rested on Crawford's development and control of a relatively valuable selection.
A Short-Term Defensive Fix Cost Atlanta Two Young Assets
Atlanta improved its immediate playoff guard rotation but surrendered a rookie scorer and a first-round pick to do it. Washington accepted the uncertainty of young-player development and obtained enough value for its timeline to justify the exchange. This wasn't a total failure for Hinrich's Hawks tenure, nor was Singleton automatically a star because he was drafted in the first round. Crawford's scoring and the additional draft chance nevertheless gave Washington a larger combination of realized and potential value than Atlanta received.
Final Verdict
Wizards Win. Washington earns A for acquiring Jordan Crawford and the No. 18 selection used on Chris Singleton, with Mike Bibby and Maurice Evans as transitional veterans. Atlanta gets C- despite Kirk Hinrich's useful 2011 playoff defense, because the acquisition cost a developing scorer and first-round pick. The Wizards secured the stronger overall return for their rebuilding roster.