Proposed trade sees Atlanta Hawks swap former top-5 pick for $72M champ

The Atlanta Hawks and forward De’Andre Hunter and in the early stages of a contract showdown. There were reports that the two sides were roughly “$20 million” apart but were in otherwise fine with a new four-year pact. The contract Hunter is seeking has been rumored to be in the $100 million range, though, some think $80 million is more likely.

The gap between those two figures could be the difference between Hunter’s potential deal looking like a bargain down the road and looking like the Hawks got taken for a ride if his injury woes or inconsistency remain.

But what if there is still another option?

What if the Hawks looked to flip Hunter for a more proven version of what they hope he can ultimately become?

OG Anunoby could be the upgrade over De’Andre Hunter the Atlanta Hawks need

Hunter’s contract stalemate is a situation the Hawks are familiar with. They’ve shopped John Collins ever since inking him to a five-year, $125 million contract last offseason. This summer, they have already pulled off a blockbuster trade for Dejounte Murray. But Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley thinks they still need something more.

Someone like Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby.

“While Atlanta unloaded several prime assets in the Dejounte Murray deal, it stopped short of pushing all chips to the center of the table. That means there’s still enough to broker a smaller, but still significant swap.”

Anunoby was drafted with the 23rd-overall pick of the 2017 NBA Draft. That’s 19 picks behind where the Hawks took Hunter two years later in 2019. Yet, Anunoby is less than five months older than Hunter.

It could just be the extra time in the league. But Buckley argues Anunoby is already where the Hawks need Hunter to be.

“Anunoby can contribute to a deep playoff run right now. Atlanta could pester perimeter scorers of all types with Murray and Anunoby, while the latter could see his already solid shooting rates climb even higher while playing off a dynamic shot-creator like Trae Young.”

The 6-foot-7 Anunoby averaged 17.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists this past season while shooting 44.4% from the floor, 36.3% on threes, and 75.4% at the free-throw line.

Hunter – who stands 6-foot-8 – averaged 13.4/3.3/1.3 with a .442/.379/.765 slash line.
Both players have dealt with injuries each of the last two seasons. Anunoby has posted back-to-back 40-something-appearance seasons. He had reportedly been dissatisfied with his trajectory in Toronto and was seeking a trade elsewhere.

But Fischer refuted that.

Hunter has played in just 76 games over the last two years after missing the bulk of the 2021 campaign.

His injury history and inconsistency have belied his prototypical skill set.

“Anunoby could be the difference-making, two-way wing this roster needs to reach the next level.”

He certainly has more experience in the playoffs than Hunter with 27 games and a championship (as a rookie) to the Hawks wing’s 10.

Anunoby was a role player on that championship team. But he averaged over 17.0 PPG this past postseason. Of course, Hunter averaged 21.0 PPG in the Hawks’ five-game series against the Miami Heat.

Then there is Jalen Johnson. The second-year forward is set up to have a big role this season after the Hawks traded Danilo Gallinari to land Murray and never replaced him.

The 20-year-old Johnson slid to the Hawks at 20th-overall but flashed his lottery-level talent.

Moe Harkless is salary-matching fodder for all intents and purposes with his $4.5 million price tag and career 32.0% three-point efficiency. But he is still a long, active defender. However, he cannot be traded until September 4 due to the NBA’s player aggregation restriction.

Draft capital is what it is. But the Hawks traded away a very useful piece in Kevin Huerter to secure that pick and, really, to avoid the luxury tax, something they say they will pay for a contender. Does Anunoby put them over the top with Murray now in tow?

Or should they just stick with Hunter?

They would be getting Anunoby locked in for two more years at $36 million with a player option for 2024-25 at nearly $20 million.

Considering Hunter was said to be off-limits in most trade talks, the smart money should still be on them keeping Hunter and, eventually, coming to an agreement on a new contract.