The Atlanta Hawks front office is saying they need a bit of a roster rejuvenation to get back to the top of the Eastern Conference. However, if superstar Kevin Durant were to make himself available thanks to the Kyrie Irving situation which continues to unfold this offseason, the Hawks should be up for a full roster reshuffle.
Let’s make one thing clear, at the moment the Nets have Durant’s services, and he has four years left on his deal. However, we all remember that it was Irving who recruited Durant to the Nets while he was sidelined with his Achilles injury.
However, there has been so much drama between the Nets and Irving that over the last three years Irving has missed more games than he has played. This has meant, that despite adding James Harden to the mix last season, the Nets have not been competing for championships as Durant was expecting when he signed.
The Atlanta Hawks are actually third in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes
According to BetOnline, the Hawks have the third-best odds to secure the services of Durant if he does indeed choose to leave. This would certainly be a coup for the Hawks, their need for a second star was highlighted against the Miami Heat.
Per BetOnline, the odds on Kevin Durant's next team if he leaves Nets:
— Anthony Chiang (@Anthony_Chiang) June 24, 2022
Heat 5/2
Grizzlies 4/1
Hawks 9/2
Suns 5/1
Clippers 11/2
Knicks 6/1
Trail Blazers 15/2
Thunder 8/1
Lakers 12/1
Warriors 14/1
Worth pointing out that Durant still has four years left on his deal with the Nets.
The Miami Heat are the best placed to land Durant and that would have them installed as title favorites for sure. The second-best odds for where Durant would land are the Memphis Grizzlies. What he could do alongside Ja Morant is a little scary.
The Hawks are just outside the Grizzlies in these odds which is an interesting place to be. Both the teams above the Hawks on this list were able to progress in the playoffs this season. The addition of Durant would make the Hawks a force to be reckoned with in the East, putting them well ahead of both of these teams.
Then there is the question of what the Hawks would have to give up to secure Durant’s contract. They would have to give up John Collins in the deal, with at least another key piece from the Hawks’ best unit. The thing is, with the exception of Trae Young, every player in a Hawks uniform must be available to make this deal.
To put it simply, a player with Durant’s talents does not become available often. If you can secure his services, he will automatically put you in the contender category.