5 Players the Hawks might replace De’Andre Hunter with by the trade deadline

Hawks pursuit of Pascal Siakam is well-documented

The potential trade that has been among the most often discussed this offseason was Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam to the Atlanta Hawks. But, due to various hurdles, nothing has been consummated, though the Hawk are said to have made at least one offer for the two-time All-Star.

There was even word that Hawks rookie Kobe Bufkin could be a swing piece to getting a deal done in the end.

The Hawks are said to have already offered Hunter for him.

Siakam’s stance on signing a contract extension complicates things, to be sure. But only if the Hawks plan on low-balling him in free agency. As long as he is not specifically against re-signing in Atlanta next summer, it is a non-issue.

Their pursuit shows they believe he would be a good fit with the rest of the group under head coach Quin Snyder.

The groundwork has also already been laid thanks to the previous offer.

Atlanta is said to be fully content to enter the season as currently constructed. But that does not mean they will finish the season that way. And with an outside belief that they could need to win to keep the group together, doing what it takes to land Siakam might not seem as daunting as it would if they could think longer-term.

Sometimes the best answer is the most obvious one. This deal has not happened but it has certainly had the most smoke of any of these scenarios.