Sund doesn’t anticipate trade deadline deals for Hawks

Hawks GM Rick Sund said the core group of Hawks that has the team aiming for a Southeast Division title is the same group you can expect to see after the Feb. 18 trade deadline.

“People are talking about us as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, and that’s what we strive for,” Sund said today. “If there is something out there that will make us better, we’ll look at it. Do I anticipate (a deal)? No, I don’t.”

Sund wouldn’t get into specifics about trade chatter, but his indication that the Hawks’ core would stay together seems to rule out a trade involving Joe Johnson, who can become a free agent after the season. The other core players include Josh Smith, Jamal Crawford, Marvin Williams, Mike Bibby and Al Horford.