Soaring Down South
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Atlanta Hawks considered landing spot for RFA seeking $177M payday

ByJoshua Buckhalter|
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 14: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during a game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on January 14, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 14: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during a game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on January 14, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

The Atlanta Hawks could be the team that wins the Deandre Ayton sweepstakes this summer. Bidding for the four-year pro is expected to be intense, albeit among a select group of franchises. His incumbent team, the Phoenix Suns, is not expected to go along with that game for very long, though.

Atlanta has been at the center of many a rumor this offseason after ownership and management made it clear they were disappointed with the results from a group they showed faith in by running it back.

Minor veteran additions (Delon Wright, Gorgui Dieng) highlighted the Hawks’ summer of 2021 after they went on a veritable spending spree the season prior.

More of the latter is expected to come about this summer and Ayton could be the headliner.

Atlanta Hawks still considered “realistic” part of Deandre Ayton’s shrinking market

This latest update comes from Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer in a dispersion of league-wide intel. Ayton’s future has been a hot-button issue. One might assume the list of teams looking for his services would be plentiful.

According to Fischer, though, he could have a very specific appeal around the NBA. Not many teams feature true centers in today’s NBA.

“Ayton’s most realistic landing spots outside of Phoenix appear to be Atlanta, Detroit, and Toronto, which all would present intriguing sign-and-trade opportunities for the Suns.”

One of the other teams once linked to the former All-Rookie big man, the Portland Trail Blazers, is turning its attention to a different player from one of the other teams still mentioned in connection with him.

“Portland does not appear to be a legitimate landing spot for restricted free agent Deandre Ayton…The Trail Blazers are expected to retain starting center Jusuf Nurkic, and they are prioritizing Toronto Raptors swingman OG Anunoby in any return for the No. 7 pick in next week’s draft.”

The Detroit Pistons could presumably offer forward Jerami Grant, who has also been linked to the Hawks this offseason. They could also have to worry about the Indiana Pacers who could offer Myles Turner, per Fischer.

Could the Hawks put together a comparable package? Sure. But the question is would they?

There are questions about Ayton’s motor and he bumped heads with Suns head coach, Monty Williams during these playoffs. Some also believe Phoenix simply does not want to pay upwards of $30 million annually.

The Suns – who would almost certainly pull Ayton back to try working out a sign-and-trade, per NBA correspondent, Marc Stein – probably have little use for Hawks center Clint Capela at over $19 million per year.

John Collins has been labeled as the most likely piece to include in any major potential deals. But Ayton’s base year compensation and the Hawks’ proximity to the luxury tax will further complicate matters once he agrees to his new deal. Perhaps the Hawks try adding in Kevin Huerter to make the money work. His trade restriction expires on July 1.

They still have to reconcile the reports of his commitment. But Ayton has been a “popular rumored target” of team president Travis Schlenk’s front office. Is this just more smoke or is there a fire smoldering?