A lot is riding on this season for the Atlanta Hawks and fourth-year forward De’Andre Hunter. The Hawks have undergone quite the transformation this offseason, saying goodbye to four regular rotation players, one reserve, and even a young prospect from Georgia in Sharife Cooper.
They’ve brought in several players, but none figure to impact the Hawks nearly as much as Dejounte Murray who, along with John Collins, has given the Hawks an up-and-coming Big Three.
But the x-factor might be Hunter.
The 6-foot-8 Hunter is extension eligible this offseason with a deadline of October 15 to get a deal done and he is trying to give a little added incentive to try getting a deal done.
Atlanta Hawks F De’Andre Hunter looks healthy, explosive in viral video
The video comes via Ben Stinar who shared it on Twitter. It shows a springy Hunter taking his man off of the bounce making for a poster that would make Hawks teammate John Collins proud. Hunter gave it a little bit extra to let the crowd know just how he felt about what he had just done.
De’Andre Hunter just caught a BODY at AEBL pic.twitter.com/mbISlaBseU
— Ben Stinar (@BenStinar) July 30, 2022
That brought the fans out in droves.
One fan was quick to bring up Hunter putting Julius Randle through the paces during the 2021 NBA Playoffs.
Never forget pic.twitter.com/q8ETVPhvkv
— Pudgie Festa (@Pudgie_Festa) July 30, 2022
Randle averaged over 18.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per game in that series. But he shot under 29.0% from beyond the arc and averaged over 4.0 turnovers per game too.
Hunter was lost for the postseason following the decisive Game 5.
Another fan took inventory of all the reasons that the Hawks will go undefeated this coming season which alluded to that.
It’s over. Hawks going 82-0 with
— Adam | BRAVOS (87-45) (@Adamkendama1) July 30, 2022
Revenge Trae
Free from Spurs Poverty Dejounte
Healthy DeAndre
Prove It Year Collins
Cornrow Clint
Too tough 😤
User @flame_mj reminded the OP not to forget “Bogi Da Boogeyman”
The Hawks’ social media team got ahold of the video and shared it which brought in even more fans to react.
When Dre handle is crisp, he looks so freaking good
— Marcus Graham (@MKGraham66) July 31, 2022
User @somewhereinATL said “THIS IS THE YEAR”
Trae Young had a simple message for the folks that choose to jump with Hunter this season.
Watch ya head ! ! ! https://t.co/E5tfPv027x
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) July 30, 2022
Hunter and the Hawks were up against a $20 million gap as well as the October 15 deadline at last check. And it will take more than one dunk in a pro-am to convince the Hawks he is worth a deal that could potentially be worth up to $100 million.
But this is a great start for a player that has dealt with knee injuries each of the past two seasons and ended last year battling back issues.
He looks healthy and aggressive in this clip.
That is the version of Hunter the Hawks need this season and the version of himself that he needs to be to secure the contract he wants.
Even with Murray joining the fray for the Hawks, this is setting up to be a big season for Hunter.