Peachtree Hoops: Rumor Roundup: Could the Hawks aim for Kevin Durant this summer?

[Hawksquawk]

James A. Pittman-USA TODAY Sports

Another day, another batch of trade rumors.

As we dive headfirst into an uncertain offseason for the Atlanta Hawks, one things is sure to be constant: trade rumors. It’s been no secret that the Hawks find themselves in the center of trade talk once again after past couple of trade deadlines, and this spring is no different.

With Atlanta looking to improve upon a disappointing 36-46 finish, other teams like the Phoenix Suns may be looking to do the same after they were quietly escorted from the first round of the playoffs in a humiliating sweep to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

From that standpoint comes something that ESPN’s own Zach Lowe, on his podcast the Lowe Post, brought forth. On an episode posted on April 29, he and Bobby Marks toss around some theoretical trade ideas involving Kevin Durant. In it, he mentions Atlanta as a possible partner, saying:

The one that kind of makes sense, in theory, is Atlanta. For one of the point guards, De’Andre Hunter, Saddiq Bey — throw all the wings in. But they just don’t have picks. I think they have the Sacramento pick and, like, one other future pick they can trade. They don’t have enough picks. But that’s like a fun little fake one.

Atlanta, of course, owes San Antonio their own 2025 and 2027 first-round picks as well as a first-round pick swap in 2026 from the original Dejounte Murray trade. The Hawks, however, could in theory trade their 2024 pick, pending the results of the upcoming lottery, and they’ll have access to picks out through 2030 by draft night. So in other words, by late June they could offer their own 2028 first-round pick, 2030 first-round pick, a pick swap in 2029 in a trade, and the Kings pick owed to them from the Kevin Huerter trade in any outgoing deal.

Not to be outdone, but another ESPN writer and insider coincidentally weighed in on Atlanta’s summer on the same day. Brian Windhorst went onto the Pat McAfee Show and hinted at a possible link between Trae Young and the San Antonio Spurs. Take a look and listen:

"I predict that a star player is gonna look at what's going on with the Spurs and say get me there..

I don't think it's gonna be LeBron but Trae Young is an interesting name" @WindhorstESPN #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/xoKpIBs8yN

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 29, 2024

It’s important to remember that we’re deep into silly season already. Rumors have been flying for months, and really years, but little has come to fruition since the Hawks sent John Collins out last summer. But when some of the biggest names in the NBA media are openly discussing such seismic moves for the Hawks, it might be time to perk your ears up a bit.

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