Option #3 - Package No. 1 pick with pricey veteran
The Hawks could look to offload one of their pricey veteran role players in hopes of finding more bang for their buck. They have several players on large enough contracts whose production, while valued, wouldn’t preclude them from being included in a deal.
And coming off their first missed postseason in four seasons, the list of players who could be available should be substantial.
At the top are Capela, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and De’Andre Hunter.
Capela is an expiring contract, going into the final year of a two-year, $45.8 million contract extension. He made the fourth-most appearances of his career last season. But he also shot his second-lowest clip at 57.1% from the floor.
Rumors have linked him to the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, and New Orleans Pelicans in recent months.
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Bogdanovic is going into Year 2 of a four-year, $68 million pact.
He set new career highs averaging 16.9 points across 79 appearances after a stellar performance in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Bogdanovic also received his extension from this front office and could be the safest of the group.
The Hawks had the most talks about Hunter, according to reports, with the Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, and Toronto Raptors among the teams named in the rumor mill.
Hunter is going into Year 2 of a four-year, $90 million contract.
Okongwu could also be a candidate as he begins his four-year, $61.9 million contract this coming season. But like Bogdanovic, Okongwu received his new money from the current front office.