Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young and Kevin Durant would make a dynamic duo, and The Athletic’s Kelly Iko wrote on June 3 that the Phoenix Suns have “gradually lowered their asking price” to trade the 2013-14 MVP amid talks with the Houston Rockets.
The Hawks certainly have the assets to cobble together a deal should they show interest despite lacking a top basketball executive.
However, even a lowered asking price would be costly.
For salary-matching purposes, Jalen Johnson’s $30 million salary in 2025-26 would be the perfect ballast for a deal, while the Hawks can add Terance Mann ($15 million salary in 2025-26) and whatever draft capital is not tied up in previous dealings.
The Hawks will have access to their own first-rounders from 2029 through 2032 once the draft begins, which could set the stage for a blockbuster deal.
This Soaring Down South trade proposal would send Johnson and Mann to Phoenix with picks.
This deal would leave the Hawks with Dyson Daniels and Onyeka Okongwu, and, most importantly, Zaccharie Risacher. Assuming the Suns would agree to the player compensation, the draft capital could also be an issue.
Johnson is a strong starting point, but Mann is little more than filler in the grand scheme.
That could put the Hawks at a disadvantage with teams like the Rockets capable of putting multiple young players in a package and not strip their core like similar actions would Atlanta.
Hawks deal for Kevin Durant a risky proposition
Johnson is also a really good young player. However, his injury history is another potential obstacle. He has played in at least 60 games one time in five seasons. The Suns would almost certainly ask for at least one other young player to flesh out the return.
They would have to wait for any picks received directly from the Hawks to pay off.
At the same time, the Hawks would be wise to take heed of the Rockets’ caution on potentially pulling the trigger on a trade for Durant amid his extensive injury history.
“There is a price where the Rockets would be interested, but with a fear of breaking up their roster for a 36-year-old coming off injury, doubt remains over a deal materializing,” Iko wrote of Houston possibly landing Durant.
Durant appeared in 62 games in 2024-25.
He missed the final seven outings with an ankle injury. Durant made 75 starts in 2023-24, but that was his first season with at least 60 appearances since he logged 78 in 2018-19.
Durant suffered a calf injury in the second round of the Western Conference Playoffs that season against the Rockets while still with the Golden State Warriors. He would return for Game 5 of the Finals against the Toronto Raptors.
He tore his Achilles in that game after playing just over 11 minutes.
Durant has already busted the trend, playing 62 games last season. But the Hawks would be wise to remain leery of surrendering too many assets for Durant, if that is under consideration.