As the only general manager holding three first-round picks in Thursday night’s NBA draft [url=http://www.cardinalscheapstore.com/christian-kirk-jersey-cheap]Christian Kirk Cardinals Jersey[/url] , including No. 3 overall, Atlanta’s Travis Schlenk has been a popular target for trade talk.

Overall, the Hawks have four picks in the top 34. That’s more than enough depth to attract interest, but the rebuilding Hawks are even more attractive trade targets because they also have about $20 million in salary cap space. That creates more attractive options for a team needing to unload a contract in a trade.

Schlenk says he is answering every call and considering all options – including the possibility of trading up or down from the No. 3 spot.

It’s an exciting time for Schlenk, who never held such a high draft pick in his previous job as assistant GM with the Golden State Warriors.

”This is the highest pick that I’ve been a part of,” Schlenk said last week. ”At Golden State, the highest pick we had was six. So it’s exciting. Having the four picks, along with the third pick, we get a lot of phone calls [url=http://www.buccaneerscheapstore.com/m.j.-stewart-jersey-cheap]M.J. Stewart Jersey[/url] , which is exciting as well, and we’re going to go through all the options that are presented to us and make the best decision, hopefully.”

He says he’s comfortable with the idea of opening the 2018-19 season with four rookies.

Schlenk is planning the Hawks’ future with a new coach. Former Philadelphia assistant Lloyd Pierce was hired on May 11 to replace Mike Budenholzer, now the Bucks coach.

Schlenk might use his first pick to select a forward-center to pair with 2017-18 rookie John Collins. Among players who could be available are Duke’s Marvin Bagley III , Michigan State’s Jaren Jackson and Mo Bamba of Texas.

Guards Luka Doncic of Slovenia, Trae Young of Oklahoma and forward Michael Porter of Missouri could be alternatives for Schlenk.

Pierce stressed defense in his first news conference in Atlanta. Schlenk said it’s important to land players with balanced offensive and defensive skills.

”Obviously when you look at the best teams in the league, the majority of the time they’re good defensive teams,” Schlenk said. ”But at the end of the day, if you’re not scoring 100 points you’re probably not winning [url=http://www.chargerscheapstore.com/derwin-james-jersey-cheap]Cheap Derwin James Jersey[/url] , so we’re going to look for guys that are two-way players, who can play defensively, but also we’ve got to be able to score the ball on the other end.”

Bagley qualifies as that two-way talent, but he could be drafted at the No. 2 spot by Sacramento.

”I put a lot of work into this and I think I’m the best player in the draft,” Bagley said after his draft workout in Atlanta last week. ”I mean that in the most humble way possible, not to be cocky.”

Phoenix is projected to select Arizona center Deandre Ayton with the top pick.

Jackson is an accomplished shot blocker with less polish on the offensive end. He is regarded by many to have the potential shooting skills to develop into a well-rounded NBA big man.

With point guard Dennis Schroder’s future in Atlanta uncertain, the Hawks can look for talent at any position. Their wealth of picks could make it easier to take a chance on Doncic, who has the skills to play multiple positions even though his ability to create space in the NBA has been questioned by some critics.

”I’ve maintained all along, and I honestly believe this [url=http://www.buccaneerscheapstore.com/ronald-jones-ii-jersey-cheap]Ronald Jones II Buccaneers Jersey[/url] , we’re going to take the best player,” Schlenk said. ”We’re in a situation where we’re looking to add the most talent we can, and we’re going to get a good player at the third pick.”

The No. 3 spot is the Hawks’ highest since 2007, when they selected Al Horford at No. 3.

Atlanta also has the No. 19 and No. 30 picks in the first round and No. 34 early in the second round. Those selections give Schlenk a wealth of options, including a deal for a higher pick next year.

Schlenk said he has considered if the possibility to ”trade back to collect more assets would be advantageous.”

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Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate is set to be an unrestricted free agent following the 2018 campaign, but his current team reportedly hasn't taken many steps to secure his long-term future.According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, "the Lions have not yet had any substantive contract talks with Tate's representatives, and have indicated to him, like they did with defensive end Ziggy Ansah [url=http://www.chiefscheapstore.com/breeland-speaks-jersey-cheap]Breeland Speaks Youth Jersey[/url] , they want to allow first-year coach Matt Patricia some time to get to know him before diving into an extension."Despite the lack of significant progress on talks with his current team, Tate has certainly paid attention to trends in the market."Guys are getting paid a looot of money," he said, per Birkett. "There's guys who aren't even every-down receivers who are getting paid a lot of money, so that's obviously refreshing as a receiver to see going into this market here soon."Birkett noted Tate's comments came after Jarvis Landry signed a five-year, $75 million deal with the Cleveland Browns this offseason, which is quite different than the five-year, $31 million contract Tate signed with the Lions in 2014."The wide receiver market is very high right now, and it wasn't very high when I came out when I was in free agency the first time [url=http://www.49erscheapstore.com/jimmy-garoppolo-jersey-cheap]Cheap Jimmy Garoppolo Jersey[/url] , unfortunately," Tate said.The Notre Dame product indicated he wants to sign another deal in Detroit and mentioned his love for the fans and city but stressed he wants to "finish my career" with the next contract he signs, be it with the Lions or elsewhere.Tate will be 30 years old during the 2018 campaign and has already accumulated an impressive resume worthy of considering when and if he does become a free agent. He was a 2014 Pro Bowler, won a Super Bowl as a member of the Seattle Seahawks and had more than 1,000 receiving yards in three of the last four seasons with the Lions.He showed few signs of slowing in 2017 with 92 catches for 1,003 yards and five touchdown catches and has played a full 16 games in each of the last five years as a durable playmaker.While his long-term future with the Lions is still in doubt given the lack of significant talks at this point, he will surely draw plenty of interest if he is able to replicate that type of production in 2018 before his current contract expires..

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