Los Angeles Selected a Proven Scoring Forward
The Clippers acquired Danilo Gallinari from Denver through a July 2017 sign-and-trade that required Atlanta's participation. Gallinari had been a productive scoring forward with the Nuggets and could offer shooting, size and the ability to create offense outside the paint. The Clippers were seeking another established player after substantial changes to their veteran roster. Giving up Jamal Crawford, young center Diamond Stone and future draft consideration was a meaningful price for a forward with a recognizable NBA role.
Atlanta Collected a Wider Package Than the Original Import Showed
The Hawks obtained Crawford, Stone, a protected 2018 first-round right originating with Houston and cash from the Clippers. The complete official Hawks release independently confirms these incoming assets. Crawford brought extensive bench-scoring experience, Stone offered a young center to evaluate, and the future first gave Atlanta additional draft flexibility. Crawford's lengthy past NBA career wasn't new Hawks performance, while the protected selection's eventual value depended on its actual conveyance and later rights path. The package was real, not an empty facilitating-team return.
Denver Accepted One Second-Round Right
The Nuggets received Atlanta's 2019 second-round selection originating with Washington. Denver was losing a player who had been an important scoring option over multiple seasons, but it chose a draft asset rather than matching his offensive contribution with another established forward. The right's eventual selection history needed separate tracing; it wasn't automatically an NBA player who spent a season in Denver. The exchange also occurred while the Nuggets were changing the composition of their frontcourt and the offensive responsibilities of other players.
The Grades Compare Immediate Fit With Asset Breadth
The inherited slight Clippers edge gives Los Angeles A- because Gallinari supplied a current scoring profile, Atlanta B+ for multiple incoming assets, and Denver C for the more limited second-round return. Those grades don't prove the Clippers received uninterrupted star production or that Atlanta kept every future drafted player. The real difference is the distribution of value: one established forward for Los Angeles, several contracts and draft rights for Atlanta, and a comparatively small future opportunity for Denver.
Final Verdict
Slight Clippers Edge. Los Angeles receives A- for the established scoring and size of Danilo Gallinari. Atlanta gets B+ for Jamal Crawford, Diamond Stone, a protected 2018 first-round right and cash. Denver receives C for a 2019 second-round selection originating with Washington. The Hawks' four confirmed assets must be included to assess the full three-team return accurately.