The Atlanta Hawks have been looking to potentially add a long-term back-court running mate for Trae Young ahead of the NBA trade deadline. One name to keep a close eye on could be Indiana Pacers point guard Malcolm Brogdon.

According to a report from Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, the Hawks have discussed a potential trade for Brogdon with the Pacers. However, he does caution that the trade seems unlikely at this point in time.

Atlanta has discussed deals for Malcolm Brogdon, but Brogdon’s contract (he is owed $44 million over the next two seasons) and injury history make a deal unlikely.

This would be a very strange trade for the Hawks. Brogdon played for Atlanta head coach Nate McMillan last season with the Pacers. At the end of the year, he was a big reason that McMillan was fired by Indiana.

Brogdon did not like the coaching style that McMillan had. He had quite a few words of criticism for his former coach and has full of praise for new Pacers’ head coach Nate Bjorkgren. Being traded to the Hawks likely would not be something that Brogdon would be happy about.

So far this season with the Pacers, Brogdon has had a career year. He has averaged 21.6 points per game to go along with 6.1 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.1 steals. Brogdon has shot 46 percent from the floor and 39.8 percent from the three-point line.

While the fit may not be perfect and Brogdon may not like McMillan, it is an intriguing option. If Brogdon and McMillan could work out their differences, he would help take a lot of pressure off of Young.

Malcolm Brogdon is one of the more underrated point guards in the game. He isn’t a superstar, but he is the kind of player that can help a team compete.

Expect to hear more rumors about Brogdon as the trade deadline heats up. The Pacers may not end up moving him, but the Hawks are smart for seeing what it would take to acquire him.