Hawks to make ‘strong push’ for Kevin Durant

[Jamaaliver]

A minor blurb of speculation is making headlines around the association...figured it deserves its own thread:

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.

Jeff Schultz of AJC concludes:

My view is that even though the Thunder blew the conference finals, what they accomplished this season will convince Durant to stay where he is. But that won’t stop the Hawks (and almost every other team) from making their pitch.

[Jamaaliver]

NBCSports' take:

Some NBA players seem to enjoy visiting Atlanta (or at least certain establishments there) a few times a year, and many even call it their offseason home. But that hasn’t translated into the Hawks landing elite free agents.

Could Durant change the trend?

First, Atlanta must figure out how to clear enough cap space.

If they renounce every free agent but Al Horford, the Hawks would be about $10 million shy of being able to offer Durant his max salary. Horford leaving would open enough cap space, but Atlanta would become far less appealing with Horford gone.

The Hawks will probably again shop Jeff Teague ($8 million), because they have a younger and cheaper alternative at point guard...

Tiago Splitter ($8,550,000) and Mike Scott ($3,333,334 unguaranteed until July 10) would also be expendable. But even losing those two would weaken the Hawks, who are already facing an uphill climb.

I don’t see Durant signing with the Hawks, but even getting a meeting could elevate their perception among other free agents and into the future. And if they get that meeting, they’d at least have a chance to beat the odds and sweep Durant off his feet.

[Jamaaliver]

Fox Sports echoes that we could be a 'dark horse' candidate to sign him:

This obviously makes no sense if Horford flees, but the four-time All-Star's cap hold is still low enough for the Hawks to offer Durant a max contract and then re-sign him afterward. As previously mentioned, a Durant-Millsap-Horford frontline would equal destruction. Only the Spurs had a better defense last season, and throwing Durant's pterodactyl arms into the mix would make the Hawks even more devastating on that end...

In this scenario, Dennis Schröder or Jeff Teague can then be traded for another shooter, and the Hawks would, in all likelihood, reach the Eastern Conference Finals. But are they fearsome enough to win it all?

Teague/Schröder isn't Russell Westbrook, but Atlanta also isn't in the Western Conference, where annual runs through San Antonio and Golden State make winning a championship incredibly difficult.

If Millsap opts out of his contract next summer, Atlanta would have enough cap space to sign another max player...

A ton can change between now and then, but the Hawks would instantly transform into a legitimate destination with Durant and Horford locked into long-term deals. Durant would have an easier path to the top next season, and can be a pillar for Budenholzer's vision in the years beyond. It's highly unlikely any of this happens, but Atlanta is one team Durant should at least consider.

[Jamaaliver]

While I am not crazy about us focusing time/efforts on pursuing another long shot Free Agent to save us from the doldrums of mediocrity...

It's a great sign that writers/pundits (and presumably agents/managers) see Atlanta as a much more palatable option today than a few years ago.

That's progress...I think.

[atlantabbq99]

Hawks have to make an offer and good pitch to Durant, they owe it to the team and franchise and this will show Budz how much management is committed to winning and not just tanking. Durant probably won't join but its just something the Hawks have to do.

If Durant really wants to join a team that can pay him and be an instant contender with no chemistry problems and elite coaching, then the only three options for Durant is Atlanta, San Antonio, and Toronto. If Durant joins the Hawks or Raptors, that instantly makes any Cavs match up into a seven game series.

i think Washington, Miami, and Boston are kidding themselves if they think adding Durant will make them a contender. Wiz post players are too old, and Beal and Wall have been a failed duo from the start. Miami is old and will lose Bosh. Celtics have too many overachievers and not enough talent and they also have one of the worst front courts in the NBA

[ATL Boy]

They're doing their due diligence here. Ressler and the Hawks' front office owe it to us to at least try and pursue KD, the way Ferry tried to pursue Dwight a few years ago.

Durant probably takes a 1+1 deal with OKC though, it makes way too much sense not to. Next year the cap rises once again, and he'll be eligible to get a 35% of it in a max deal as opposed to 30% this year.


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[PandaKidd]

$10 says Durants agent doesnt even take the phone call from Atlanta

[jayu70]

I would be disappointed if they didn't even try. You have to make the effort to change perceptions, you do so by talking to these guys.
Make a good pitch, other FAs hear about it. It's marketing.

[MaceCase]

$10 says Durants agent doesnt even take the phone call from Atlanta

Agents represent more than one client. It would be incredibly stupid of Rich Kleiman and the rest of Roc Nation to alienate a NBA front office as it could affect negotiations with their other, lesser, clients.

[PandaKidd]

$10 says Durants agent doesnt even take the phone call from Atlanta

Agents represent more than one client. It would be incredibly stupid of Rich Kleiman and the rest of Roc Nation to alienate a NBA front office as it could affect negotiations with their other, lesser, clients.

yeah, and, $10 says they never even take the call.

I know what I said.

Durant is staying in OKC, would be shocked if he left. He would be leaving 50+ million on the table by signing a 5 year deal this year. He was 1 half from the Finals. He beat SA. I think he does a 1+1 deal with a option to get out next season.

I mean Atlanta can try all they want, but Durant leaving a loaded OKC team to go to Atlanta who would have to renounce every FA they have to have a CHANCE at offering him money?

I was being sarcastic, Im sure agents know how to play the game, point being Atlanta has nothing to offer Durant he doesnt already have.

[PandaKidd]

I would be disappointed if they didn't even try. You have to make the effort to change perceptions, you do so by talking to these guys.
Make a good pitch, other FAs hear about it. It's marketing.

Totally agree.

But Atlanta wont even be able to get a seat at the table. They would have to renounce all their FAs to even have enough money to offer him anyway (article states that).

Im pretty sure Mace said it before in a different thread, teams want the ability to offer a contract to a player after their meeting. Most players wont even meet with a team if they cant offer them the money as in FA its about time. They have to maximize their time (unless youre Durant/Lebron/etc). I dont think Durant is interested in leaving yet.

Atlanta would have to be like YO KD! We just nuked all our players off our Roster except for Al Horford, COME ON OVER AND MEET UP!

[jayu70]

I would be disappointed if they didn't even try. You have to make the effort to change perceptions, you do so by talking to these guys.
Make a good pitch, other FAs hear about it. It's marketing.

Totally agree.

But Atlanta wont even be able to get a seat at the table. They would have to renounce all their FAs to even have enough money to offer him anyway (article states that).

Im pretty sure Mace said it before in a different thread, teams want the ability to offer a contract to a player after their meeting. Most players wont even meet with a team if they cant offer them the money as in FA its about time. They have to maximize their time (unless youre Durant/Lebron/etc). I dont think Durant is interested in leaving yet.

Atlanta would have to be like YO KD! We just nuked all our players off our Roster except for Al Horford, COME ON OVER AND MEET UP!

Renounce everyone except Al - so Hump, Kirk, Baze, Scott and Moose and trade Splitter.
San Antonio did not trade Splitter before meeting with Aldridge. No team renounces their players before they have a definite yes from a player. What they do is have the contingencies lined up to make the necessary moves if the player says yes. They present the moves to be made as part of the presentation to the player.

[PandaKidd]

Think the Spurs have a LITTLE more resume than the Hawks doe

[jayu70]

Think the Spurs have a LITTLE more resume than the Hawks doe

Doesn't matter. My main point is that no team renounces it's players before meeting with a free agent unless they just don't want them. That's just stupid. There have been instances where players with team options to be picked up by specific dates have been extended to allow the team time to make moves.
What the agent would need to see is how you will move the pieces to clear the necessary capspace.

[HMFFL]

It's nice to know that we intend on pursuing him.
I have no idea what his connections are towards our current players or if he's even close friends with any of them.
However, I can hope for the best, and continue to wish we had a superstar talent like Durant for many years.

OKC clearly has built a better team over the years and have upgraded the 5 spot. With that being said, if Durant leaves, it's possibly going to be due to Westbrook, or to play in a city that has a bigger market. The off-season will be interesting but I hope Durant doesn't drag it out.

[PandaKidd]

Think the Spurs have a LITTLE more resume than the Hawks doe

Doesn't matter. My main point is that no team renounces it's players before meeting with a free agent unless they just don't want them. That's just stupid. There have been instances where players with team options to be picked up by specific dates have been extended to allow the team time to make moves.
What the agent would need to see is how you will move the pieces to clear the necessary capspace.

There was an article written not that long ago, i posted it on here, where several writers were talking about how thats NOT TRUE, unless you have the pedigree of Lebron/Spurs/etc.

This is how FA works, the deadline hits and agents get calls. Time is of the essence. They are less likely to meet with teams that need to make moves than teams that have already cleared cap space.

IIRC wasnt that what Miami did last year with LMA, and Phoenix? They cleared space before he ever walked in the building, becase when you meet, you want to negotiate a contract. You cant do that if its HEY HOLD ON, I GOTTA GO MAKE SOME OTHER PHONE CALLS/TRADES, BRB

Someone like Durant though, prob doesnt matter, but Hawks cant even get to the table, they have nothing to offer Durant and theyd have to nuke the entire roster to even meet with him in the first place to even be able to offer a contract. Its a pipe dream.

Hawks can try all they want, they are better off going after other attainable fish. If they wanted to max durant they would be ready day 1 at 00:00.1 hours with a contract drawn up and ready to offer.

[PandaKidd]

Didnt the Spurs trade Splitter BEFORE they met with LMA because they wanted to offer him the money? Arent there rules against offering contracts if you dont have the space ? Im pretty Sure they dealt Tiaggo so they had the space to sign LMA. They didnt trade SPlitter AFTER LMA said "ok ill sign".

Correct me if im wrong.

I dont think legally you can say HEY LMA WE WILL OFFER YOU X DOLLARS , WE JUST HAVE TO GO TRADE AND CUT X PLAYERS. I think thats quid pro quo. I dont think thats legal?

[Jamaaliver]

Didnt the Spurs trade Splitter BEFORE they met with LMA because they wanted to offer him the money? Arent there rules against offering contracts if you dont have the space ? Im pretty Sure they dealt Tiaggo so they had the space to sign LMA. They didnt trade SPlitter AFTER LMA said "ok ill sign".

Correct me if im wrong.

I dont think legally you can say HEY LMA WE WILL OFFER YOU X DOLLARS , WE JUST HAVE TO GO TRADE AND CUT X PLAYERS. I think thats quid pro quo. I dont think thats legal?

Teams can offer it and come to terms to players, and then make a number of moves to move under the cap, engage in sign & trade, etc.

It's why coming to terms with a player and then signing that player to a contract often occur weeks (if not months) apart.

Teams, today, are currently contacting other teams to gauge interest in lesser contracts/assets as a means towards flexibility in Free Agent signings.

When we signed Bazemore years ago, he didn't actually sign his contract until almost two months later.

When we signed Thabo, we retroactively got OKC to agree to a sign and trade.

But there is a specific date, I can't remember when exactly, where the deals have to be finalized and numbers completed. I think it's in October.

[td00]

Durant is bigger reach than Dwight. At least Dwight had some sort of tie to the city.

Grant Hill's presence won't be bringing in the big names; its going to take us making a trade to find our superstar in the draft. It happens every year, but we seem to not want to pull any trigger, and perhaps its too costly.

Now we have to pay Al to avoid being embarrassed or backtracking in the East. This team needs a couple of sharpshooters and we're going to have to give up Millsap to get it, because Al isn't leaving. Millsap helped us get to the ECF last year, but we're not going back until we break up Millsap and Horford and take a couple of risks.

[atlantabbq99]

I was thinking about Wade as a plan C for the Hawks. Wade is up their in miles, but he has enough of that alpha male intangibles still left that the Hawks badly need in May and June. I'm not sure how Wade would want to end his career, especially now that he knows Bosh, Deng, and possibly Whiteside will be gone next year.