Soaring Down South
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Proposed blockbuster trade sees Atlanta Hawks land 2-time champion

By Joshua Buckhalter

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 27: Trae Young #11, Clint Capela #15, Bogdan Bogdanovic #13, John Collins #20 and De'Andre Hunter #12 of the Atlanta Hawks react against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on October 27, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 27: Trae Young #11, Clint Capela #15, Bogdan Bogdanovic #13, John Collins #20 and De'Andre Hunter #12 of the Atlanta Hawks react against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on October 27, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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The Atlanta Hawks have already made one blockbuster trade this offseason sending Danilo Gallinari and a package of picks to the San Antonio Spurs for Dejounte Murray. They also made a smaller deal sending Kevin Huerter to the Sacramento Kings for Justin Holiday, Moe Harkless, and a first-round pick.

But there is a notion that they need to make one more significant move to truly ascend into contender territory.

Their struggles last season undid a lot of the work they put in en route to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021. A decision to largely stand pat in their last two windows to truly upgrade – last summer and this past trade deadline – helped.

They could propel themselves right back, however, if they traded for Kevin Durant.

Kevin Durant would propel the Atlanta Hawks into title contention

Murray’s addition should help the Hawks’ perimeter defense. He also gives the Hawks another playmaker to get Trae Young off of the ball a la Stephen Curry. But if the “out-of-nowhere” Hawks could land Durant, writes Evan Sidery of BasketballNews.com, it might be in their best interest.

And if they do want to pursue it, they still have plenty of assets, says Sidery.

De’Andre Hunter is probably the most contentious piece from the Hawks. They have treated him as off-limits in trade talks to this point. Durant is the caliber of player one might expect them to change their logic for. But Hunter is also heading into the final year of his contract meaning any team that trades for him would be faced with the Hawks’ current conundrum.

Sidery gives Bogdan Bogdanovic and Clint Capela as potential alternatives, but John Collins makes the most sense for both sides.

Collins has been in trade rumors for two years. Yet the Hawks have asked for a full return in exchange for the electric big man. Onyeka Okongwu has “All-Defense-type” potential according to Hawks president Travis Schlenk. Rookie AJ Griffin, the 16th-overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, is a complete unknown having missed all of summer league with a foot injury suffered during his first workout with the Hawks.

Related Story. The Hawks need to avoid the Kevin Durant sweepstakes. light

We saw a similar proposal from Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz. But Sidery does provide other ways to make the financials work.

Even if the Hawks were interested, they could be on the outside looking in.

“Atlanta’s young collection of players is what makes this thought interesting, at least for a moment…Compared to the other known suitors and ones already listed, it really isn’t in the same stratosphere unless Brooklyn bets big on Hunter taking a huge leap. It might not be enough to be a real threat to swoop in for Durant, but it’d be wise to keep an eye on the Hawks as we get closer to February’s trade deadline. If the Young/Murray backcourt gets off to a hot start, maybe Atlanta will go for broke and decide the time is now for a Finals push.”

Next. Hawks considered trade destination for Draymond Green. dark

Could the Hawks get off to such a hot start that they would be willing to go all-in for Durant? If they feel he is truly a plausible outcome, they almost have to.

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