It’s no secret the Atlanta Hawks need to blow things up this summer.
The Hawks seemed to contemplate doing just that at the trade deadline. Instead, the front office kept the gang together, escaped the first round of the playoffs against the Boston Celtics, only to get whipped with a broom by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the conference semifinals.
Now the team has another year of age tacked onto the roster, Al Horford heads to free agency and it remains to be seen what the front office does with two capable point guards in Jeff Teague and Dennis Schroder.
What about adding Kevin Durant? Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal Constitution cautions folks should expect the Hawks to make a push:
The Hawks, led by owner Tony Ressler, are expected to make a strong push for Durant. A front line with Durant, Paul Millsap and Al Horford would make the Hawks an immediate title contender, regardless of what decisions they make in the backcourt with Jeff Teague and Dennis Schroder. But several teams — particularly Miami, Boston and San Antonio — will try to convince Durant that he’s the final piece to their title hopes. I’m not sure the Hawks are in any better position than those teams.
This isn’t Association-shattering news by any means, as most teams with any sense at all should at least dip toes in the free-agency pool when Durant dives in this summer.
Still, Atlanta is an unexpected name because coughing up the cash for Durant would likely mean dealing one of the two point guards and letting Horford walk. It’s a worthwhile pursuit if the front office can somehow convince Durant the city is the place to be when it comes to title contention.
Odds seem strong Durant signs a one-year deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder with a player option for the year after so he can go to market with Russell Westbrook in 2017. The duo was, after all, at a 3-1 advantage and one game away from the Finals before a collapse in the playoffs.
Should the improbable happen and Durant makes the rounds, though, look for the Hawks to be elbowing aside other teams for room in line.
