The Atlanta Hawks and forward De’Andre Hunter remain far apart on contract negotiations for the fourth-year forward. That is the latest intel from Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer who says that there is a roughly $20 million chasm in pricepoint between the two sides. There does, however, appear to be motivation for getting a four-year deal done.
Hunter is coming off of a season in which he averaged 13.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists while shooting 44.2% from the floor and 37.9% on three-pointers.
All of those numbers are steps back from the previous season save for the three-point efficiency which was a career-high. They did come as Hunter experienced a major step forward in regards to his health starting 52 of his 53 appearances.
That has not resolved a lingering issue in the negotiations, writes Fischer.
De’Andre Hunter’s injury history factoring into negotiations with Atlanta Hawks
Our last impression of Hunter was his 35-point, 11-rebound double-double in Game 5 against the Miami Heat. Hunter dropped 24 points in Game 4 and, over the two contests, shot 53.8% from beyond the arc. He did this, he says, while battling through a balky back that bothered him throughout the series.
His ability to forge on is great. But, Fischer quotes an NBA executive as saying, “The injury concerns are very real”.
Two separate surgeries on his right knee are a major source of concern. Another issue is defining just what Hunter is currently and what he can become; something only made more difficult by all of the time that he has missed.
Previous reports said Hunter’s contract could be in the $100 million range.
Fischer points to the $80 million pact between Keldon Johnson and the San Antonio Spurs just this offseason as the obvious comparison for Hunter in negotiations. But Locked On Hawks host Brad Rowland points out that Johnson has proven more to this point in his career than Hunter has while also being two years younger.
“With the Hawks already mortgaging three first-round picks to acquire Dejounte Murray and his own lucrative free agency in 2024”, says Fischer, “it will be curious to see if Hunter and Atlanta can come to terms prior to this season”.
During the July 19 episode of the “Please Don’t Aggregate This” podcast, Fischer points to John Collins’ early negotiations as an example of how things with Hunter could play out.
“I don’t know what going to need to happen…to get things closer there. But, for now, it does seem like there’s a pretty large gap they’re going to have to close before October. But there’s a long time before October so we’ll have to see.”
The Hawks could do just that, let Hunter venture into restricted free agency next summer, and let the market set itself.
His qualifying offer will be just under $13 million, per Spotrac.
Retaining their own has become a bit of a hot-button issue with the Hawks proudly running it back last season only to undergo significant changes this offseason. Collins, for one, is still involved in trade rumors even after extending for $125 million over five years last summer.
Huerter was extended for four years, $63 million only to find his value higher as a trade chip for a draft pick and lesser individual player assets.
This could still go in any direction with the smart money being on some sort of deal being reached. But the Hawks have shown a willingness to wait out a situation in the past. And they could be motivated to do so again given their recent experiences. Could knowing that impact how Hunter’s side approaches negotiations?
The Hawks were plus-0.2 with Hunter on the floor last season, per Cleaning the Glass. That is the lowest mark of his career and was the eighth-worst on the team. But the glimpses of his offensive ceiling cannot be ignored which is why this is a critical but complex situation.