Hawks general manager Rick Sund has joined the team on their current five-game Western road trip as Thursday's trade deadline looms.

Sund has reportedly been working the phones to make sure there isn't a deal out there that would help Atlanta improve.

"I don't think it forces your hand," Sund said of the NBA's current climate. "This is always a time on your calendar when you need to assess. The truth is, sometimes trades take 10 months to a year to come to fruition and other times they come together in a short period of time. So there is always a dialogue going on. Because either way, you always have to be prepared."