The Atlanta Hawks have made another move in their ongoing roster overhaul, acquiring David Roddy from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for E.J. Liddell. This trade marks the second time Liddell has switched teams within the last month, further shaking up his early NBA career.
Liddell's Brief Stint with Atlanta
Atlanta initially acquired E.J. Liddell from Ohio State as part of a multi-player trade on July 6, which saw Dejounte Murray head to New Orleans. The package that brought Liddell to the Hawks also included two first-round draft picks, signaling Atlanta’s willingness to invest heavily in fresh talent. However, Liddell’s tenure with the Hawks was short-lived; he participated in just eight games, seeing limited playing time. Despite the restricted minutes, he managed to average 7.8 points and 4.0 rebounds per game during the summer league.
Originally drafted as a second-round pick by the New Orleans Pelicans in 2022, Liddell has already experienced significant movement early in his professional career. Now, with another trade behind him, he will look to establish himself within the Suns' roster.
Roddy's Promising Start and Potential Impact
David Roddy, selected as the No. 23 overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft by Philadelphia, had his draft rights subsequently acquired by Memphis. Roddy split his rookie season between Memphis and Phoenix, providing flashes of his potential. During the 2023-24 season, he started 13 out of 65 games, averaging 6.5 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. Roddy also demonstrated his consistency by scoring in double figures in 18 games and matching his career-high with 10 rebounds in two separate contests. Notably, as a starter, Roddy's metrics improved to an average of 11.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
This summer, while playing for the Phoenix team, Roddy showcased his developing skills by starting in five games and averaging 14.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. Such performances suggest that Roddy could be a valuable addition to Atlanta’s roster, potentially bringing more depth and versatility to the team.
Continued Roster Reshuffling for the Hawks
The trade for Roddy continues a series of bold moves by the Atlanta Hawks as they aim to build a competitive roster. Besides Liddell, the Hawks also acquired Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance Jr., and Cody Zeller in the same multi-player deal. In addition to these players, Atlanta is set to receive a 2025 first-round pick and a conditional 2027 first-round pick, highlighting the Hawks' strategy of accumulating valuable assets for both immediate and future gains.
Roddy’s arrival provides the Hawks with another young, promising player who could fit into their long-term plans. His ability to contribute both as a starter and off the bench could offer much-needed flexibility in their game strategy.
As the new season approaches, it will be interesting to see how these latest roster changes pan out for the Hawks and whether their investment in young talents like Roddy will pay off. While Liddell moves on to his new chapter with the Suns, Atlanta fans will watch closely to see if Roddy can live up to the potential he has shown thus far in his young career.
