Soaring Down South
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The Atlanta Hawks had eyes on $194M superstar before blockbuster trade

By Joshua Buckhalter

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 03: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts in the final seconds of the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at Barclays Center on November 03, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets won 117-108. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 03: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts in the final seconds of the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at Barclays Center on November 03, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets won 117-108. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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The Atlanta Hawks weren’t fooled by the reports that things were all good for the Brooklyn Nets, keeping their eyes on superstar Kevin Durant in the event he wanted out. That unlikely scenario has come true with the 12-time All-Star informing the organization of his desires and, reportedly, furnishing a list of teams he would like to be moved to.

That list was topped by the Miami Heat and Phoenix Suns, though, there may be others that he prefers to the rest.

It is a fairly safe bet that at least 28 other teams are vying for his services.

Does that mean that the Hawks are out of the running, either voluntarily or because of a lack of assets? Or, could the Hawks still be primed to pounce on an extremely rare occurrence of a top-5 player in the NBA being made available?

Would the Atlanta Hawks go all-in to trade for 12-time All-Star Kevin Durant?

The Athletic’s Sam Amick and Chris Kirschner reported (subscription required) that, in their pursuit of All-Star guard Dejounte Murray of the San Antonio Spurs, the Hawks were also keeping tabs on the situation in Brooklyn. Earlier rumors from this offseason were that the Hawks were open to “wholesale changes”.

Team president Travis Schlenk pushed back on those reports. But ownership made it clear that the Hawks would pursue stars if available.

Enter Durant.

Durant and Hawks star Trae Young have a long history together going back to the latter’s childhood.

A lineup built around Durant and Young with Murray (who is a 20 PPG scorer), Clint Capela, and De’Andre Hunter heading up the defense would be very tough. And Collins has perpetually been in rumors, including previous conversations for Nets forward Ben Simmons.

Being able to move off of Bogdanovic could be a boon as well on the heels of his second surgery on his right knee in the past two seasons.

He is owed $18 million this season and has a player option for another $18 million in 2023-24.

Kirschner believes that Hunter, as well as Onyeka Okongwu, would have to be included for a deal to be completed. That is because the Hawks lost control of their first-round picks from 2025 through 2027 in the Murray deal.

That is the cost of star shopping.

Likewise with Durant, if the Hawks are serious about their interest in Durant, they could put together one of the better blends of winning now as well as planning for the future in one package.

They might also be the only ones who can move their best asset with Ben Simmons’ designated rookie extension complicating what other teams can offer at this time.

Next. Nixed Proposed Trade Would See Hawks Land $106M Two-Way Star. dark

We are far past the minor tweaks and well into major changes despite what Schlenk said. Now could be their best opportunity to push all of their chips in to add one of the greatest scorers this game has ever seen.