De’Andre Hunter’s injury complicates matters
De’Andre Hunter has drawn interest from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, and Toronto Raptors. Hunter is in the first year of a four-year, $90 million contract. But the 6-foot-8 forward possesses a lot of traits teams look for in 3-and-D wings.
Of that trio of potential suitors, the Detroit Pistons might be most inclined to part with assets for a player such as Hunter, who has missed 18 games following knee surgery.
They are rumored to be in talks with the Chicago Bulls for Zach LaVine.
The Pistons also popped up in connection to Murray. But, in this trade, they avoid the haggling over their blue-chip prospects – Ausar Thompson, Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, and Jalen Duren, and get a younger player who fits alongside those players.
The Hawks have missed him during this injury stint, which has been a staple of his career.
Hunter’s situation follows an all-too-familiar pattern for the Hawks. He was a part of their run to the Eastern Conference Finals, got paid, and has not lived up to whatever expectations have been placed upon him, leading to trade rumors.
It’s a path followed by John Collins and Kevin Huerter in recent years. The Hawks traded both players, leaving just a handful of ECF participants on the roster.
Bogdanovic is in the first year of a two-year, $39 million pact.
He can also help the Hawks compete this season and next with his versatility, particularly on offense. But the 2024-25 season of Bogdanovic’s contract is only partially guaranteed for $2 million, giving the Hawks the option for some cap relief much in the way their trade exception from the Collins trade – which expires this offseason in July – appears to be trending.