NBA Trade Rumors: Can the Atlanta Hawks Move Marvin Williams by Trade Deadline?

With the trade deadline getting closer by the day, there have been trade rumors floating slowly around the league.

However as in past years, trade rumors do not always mean that a trade in talks actually goes down. As the deadline draws nearer, teams usually become active and vocal—while preparing themselves to make deals that benefit both sides.

According to a recent TrueHoop report by Chris Broussard of ESPN.com, Atlanta Hawks' forward Marvin Williams wants out, and could be a possible trade candidate this year. Williams wants a larger role on the offensive end, and has struggled this season to find some consistency.

Williams was selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the second-overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, and still has yet to become a major factor for the Hawks.

Williams averaged a career best 14.8 points per game during the 2007-08 NBA season, but has seen his numbers fall since. The Hawks re-signed Williams to a five-year contract extension during the summer of 2009 (at about $8 million per year including a Player Option for 2013-14 season)—even though Williams has not been producing at a consistently high level.

Trying to trade Williams may also be a challenge, as other teams may not want to accept his contract—unless the Hawks are willing to take back a similar contract—which is not likely to happen, since the team is also close to the luxury-tax limit with their salary cap.

However, Williams, who has since denied this report, has to find a way to help the Hawks get out of their current funk.

The Hawks made a serious effort to bring in experienced players to add to their roster, and may have some more tinkering to do to give themselves a better chance during the second half of this season.