The Atlanta Hawks want to be included in the chase for Kevin Durant.
Marc Stein of ESPN.com reports sources told him the Atlanta Hawks are trying to persuade Durant to meet with the team face-to-face when free agency begins. Stein reports the chances of meeting with Durant “appear dim” but that Atlanta will try to use Grant Hill to get Durant to meet with the club.
Atlanta might have an unlikely chance to land Durant, but there’s no harm in attempting to get a meeting. The Hawks have ample cap space, but need to re-sign Kent Bazemore and Al Horford, both of whom are unrestricted free agents. Atlanta is a solid team in the East and Durant would fit in nicely, however unlikely him joining the team appears to be.
Durant has reportedly scheduled meetings with six NBA teams, including the Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, and Boston Celtics. If he’s going to meet with the Clippers, the much better-run Hawks should at least get the chance to talk with him.
Stein reports if the Hawks can’t get Durant on their side, they’ll pursue Atlanta native Dwight Howard. That would be an interesting play as it would give them a potential front court featuring Paul Millsap, Horford, and Howard. Milsap hypothetically can play the three, but I would be cautious to keep him there for a prolonged period of time, not to mention the entire season. Atlanta has been looking to acquire a center this offseason, as they were in discussions with the Philadelphia 76ers about Nerlens Noel.
Atlanta has already broken up its core, trading Jeff Teague to the Indiana Pacers in a three-team deal to acquire a lottery pick (used on Baylor’s Taurean Prince) so it’s hard to determine what direction they’ll go in this offseason.
Getting a meeting with Durant would be a win for the Hawks, even if he doesn’t sign with the team. However, the chances of that happening are unlikely.
[ESPN]
