Atlanta Reacquired Dedmon and Two Second-Round Picks
On February 6, 2020, the Hawks sent Alex Len and Jabari Parker to Sacramento for Dewayne Dedmon and two future second-round selections. Dedmon had been a productive Atlanta center in 2017-19 but had struggled to settle into the Kings' frontcourt rotation that season. The Hawks wanted another look at a familiar defensive big and were willing to take on the associated contract. Sacramento obtained two veterans who could join its rotation, while Atlanta also gathered draft opportunities from Houston's 2020 second-round right and Miami's 2021 second-round right.
Dedmon's Return Was Shorter Than His First Hawks Tenure
Dedmon could screen, rebound and defend in ways that suited Atlanta's young perimeter roster. His return after the February trade lasted only a short portion of the suspended 2019-20 season, however, and he was moved again later in the year. The club did not get to count his earlier two full Hawks seasons as fresh production from the reacquisition. This was a limited immediate center experiment, but the two second-round picks made it much more than a one-for-two veteran swap. Their later draft outcomes offered independent paths to find help.
Sacramento Received Len and Parker for Depth
Len gave Sacramento another traditional center with size and rim protection, while Parker arrived as a forward who had shown scoring ability earlier in his career. Neither became the long-term reason for the franchise to make this deal. Parker's Kings availability was especially limited, reducing the club's direct receiving-team basketball benefit. The pair also didn't yield a lasting developmental asset comparable to the two choices Atlanta collected. The Kings' motivation to move Dedmon's remaining contract and revise their rotation explains their willingness to accept two veterans for one.
The Picks Made the Atlanta Package More Interesting
The 2020 second-rounder became No. 50 Skylar Mays, and the 2021 selection became No. 48 Sharife Cooper. Neither selection turned into an unquestioned Hawks star, so the package shouldn't be evaluated as if both were successful first-round talents. Still, Atlanta acquired two concrete draft opportunities along with a familiar center in exchange for players it had decided to move. Sacramento got serviceable but temporary veterans. The Hawks' multiple ways to obtain a player contribution or another transaction asset give them the stronger overall return.
Final Verdict
Hawks Win. Atlanta earns B+ for the combination of Dewayne Dedmon's short return and two draft selections, ultimately used on Skylar Mays and Sharife Cooper. Sacramento receives C+ for Alex Len and Jabari Parker, whose Kings impact was limited. The additional picks, rather than an invented long second Dedmon tenure, provide the central advantage for Atlanta.