Which Disgruntled Star player should Hawks pursue?

[Jamaaliver]

There are lots of All Star caliber stars on mediocre, declining rosters around the league.

Is there a guy that's likely available for trade who makes sense for Atlanta to acquire?

Guys that come to mind:

• Kevin Durant
• Domantas Sabonis
• Anthony Davis
• Bam Adebayo
• Joel Embiid
• Giannis

Have I missed anyone?
What are you willing to give up for a star?
Are you looking to add to Trae...or replace Trae?

[jayu70]

There are lots of All Star caliber stars on mediocre, declining rosters around the league.

Is there a guy that's likely available for trade who makes sense for Atlanta to acquire?

Guys that come to mind:

• Kevin Durant
• Domantas Sabonis
• Anthony Davis
• Bam Adebayo
• Joel Embiid

Have I missed anyone?
What are you willing to give up for a star?
Are you looking to add to Trae...or replace Trae?

Give me Giannis to go with Trae.

[Jamaaliver]

There are lots of All Star caliber stars on mediocre, declining rosters around the league.

Is there a guy that's likely available for trade who makes sense for Atlanta to acquire?

Give me Giannis to go with Trae.

Here's the million dollar follow up question:

Are you willing to give up Jalen Johnson (a Wisconsin Native who plays the same position) to acquire Giannis?

Because that's where the bidding will begin...


NOTE: I would.

[dlb731]

There are lots of All Star caliber stars on mediocre, declining rosters around the league.

Is there a guy that's likely available for trade who makes sense for Atlanta to acquire?

Give me Giannis to go with Trae.

Here's the million dollar follow up question:

Are you willing to give up Jalen Johnson (a Wisconsin Native who plays the same position) to acquire Giannis?

Because that's where the bidding will begin...


NOTE: I would.

I think the conversation would start with JJ + ZR + Sac 1st.....

[Jamaaliver]

I think the conversation would start with JJ + ZR + Sac 1st.....

Agreed.

And that's for pretty much any star player.

(This does make me think twice about trading DeAndre Hunter for such a small return. If he had positive trade value, could he have been the key salary in a hypothetical star trade?)



Serious Question - Would this be a title-contending starting five:


C: Okongwu
PF: Giannis
SF: Levert
SG: Dyson
PG: Trae

[dlb731]

I think the conversation would start with JJ + ZR + Sac 1st.....

Agreed.

And that's for pretty much any star player.

(This does make me think twice about trading DeAndre Hunter for such a small return. If he had positive trade value, could he have been the key salary in a hypothetical star trade?)



Serious Question - Would this be a title-contending starting five:


C: Okongwu
PF: Giannis
SF: Levert
SG: Dyson
PG: Trae

Analytics has already said that having Levert in instead of ZR, they have a better lineup... And that's WITHOUT Giannis...

[Jamaaliver]

Serious Question - Would this be a title-contending starting five:

C: Okongwu
PF: Giannis
SF: Levert
SG: Dyson
PG: Trae

Analytics has already said that having Levert in instead of ZR, they have a better lineup... And that's WITHOUT Giannis...

1. That's fair.

2. I think we can agree that's likely to change as Zacch gets more acclimated to the league and Caris falls out of his physical prime.
(Both of which are likely to happen over the next 24 months.)

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

[CP War Hawks]

I think the conversation would start with JJ + ZR + Sac 1st.....

Agreed.

And that's for pretty much any star player.

(This does make me think twice about trading DeAndre Hunter for such a small return. If he had positive trade value, could he have been the key salary in a hypothetical star trade?)



Serious Question - Would this be a title-contending starting five:


C: Okongwu
PF: Giannis
SF: Levert
SG: Dyson
PG: Trae

Idk about this lineup with what I assume a poor bench to go with it. I think KD can be had for much cheaper that doesn't involve JJ but the entire 2025 draft class would need to be involved.

Trae
Dyson
KD
JJ
OO

[jayu70]

I think the conversation would start with JJ + ZR + Sac 1st.....

Agreed.

And that's for pretty much any star player.

(This does make me think twice about trading DeAndre Hunter for such a small return. If he had positive trade value, could he have been the key salary in a hypothetical star trade?)



Serious Question - Would this be a title-contending starting five:


C: Okongwu
PF: Giannis
SF: Levert
SG: Dyson
PG: Trae

Idk about this lineup with what I assume a poor bench to go with it. I think KD can be had for much cheaper that doesn't involve JJ but the entire 2025 draft class would need to be involved.

Trae
Dyson
KD
JJ
OO

We are going to have a hard time matching $54 mil in salaries for this KD iteration. How do you propose we get there? Mann is the highest remaining salary at 15 mil, SnT of Capela and Levert??? Why would the Suns though?

[CP War Hawks]

Agreed.

And that's for pretty much any star player.

(This does make me think twice about trading DeAndre Hunter for such a small return. If he had positive trade value, could he have been the key salary in a hypothetical star trade?)



Serious Question - Would this be a title-contending starting five:


C: Okongwu
PF: Giannis
SF: Levert
SG: Dyson
PG: Trae

Idk about this lineup with what I assume a poor bench to go with it. I think KD can be had for much cheaper that doesn't involve JJ but the entire 2025 draft class would need to be involved.

Trae
Dyson
KD
JJ
OO

We are going to have a hard time matching $54 mil in salaries for this KD iteration. How do you propose we get there? Mann is the highest remaining salary at 15 mil, SnT of Capela and Levert??? Why would the Suns though?

It'll be difficult to do it with any of the guys on the list with their mid 50s cap hit. Teams like Phx, MIl, and Philly knows that... Multiple teams would need to be involved and remember the Hawks could still create 10-15 under the cap if they wanted to create more space, helps a little but could be just enough...

It's no point of trading for these guys if JJ has to be involved. It's harder hitting on a versatile 4 than on a good wing imo. But I think they get aggressive this offs, like the timing is right to do so. One more thing is someone like KD would need to push the narrative toward the Hawks way, cause he only has a year left and be 37 in 6 months.

[CP War Hawks]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/44404893/sources-nba-salary-cap-increase-10-2025-26


"The growth in the salary cap next season is the maximum allowed and aligns with projections the NBA sent teams last June. In a memo sent to teams, the league said the salary cap is projected to be $154.6 million and the luxury tax is projected to be $187.9 million.

In addition, the first apron projects to be $195.9 million and the second apron $207.8 million -- higher by $17.8 from this season. Teams were also informed that those below the luxury tax projects to receive a $11.5 million distribution from the ten tax-paying teams."

Now that the stage has been set a bit, it's not too difficult to come up with a package for the aging KD. The Hawks should be on the hook for 144.5m going into 2025. Just some preliminary stuff..

Zac - 13.2m
Mann - 15.5m
Bufkin - 4.5m
Sac pick - 4.5m projected
pure salary - 10m projected

That equals 47.7m right there... Not sure if you can add TPE into the deal but in a separate deal with phx you could eat more salary or with a 3rd team... If not, Niang's salary gets it right on the mark...

[Jamaaliver]

Hawks Twitter seems pretty resolute on pursuing Giannis via trade...it makes sense for us.

Less so for GA.

But man he'll be expensive.

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

[victor ward]

Giannis would be a dream
He could also attract other impact players

[HMFFL]

Giannis
Domantas Sabonis
Zion
Lauri Markkanen


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[Jamaaliver]

Spoiler:

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[Geaux_Hawks]

Man Giannis would be nice, but we have to consider the position we are in after dealing a huge haul to get him via trade. New Orleans is going to set the bar because they have the Bucks FRP swaps in '26 & '27 and Zion for assets. Add in #4, and now you're competing with the idea of Milwaukee being able to reset and tank for 2-3 years. It's gonna cost us 2 starters for sure, and then whatever picks Milwaukee wants. Wouldn't surprise me if they asked for OO just to make up for the lack of premium picks. We might be better off swinging for a lower tier star really.

[CP War Hawks]

So for Giannis, JJ, Zac, 2025 13th pick, unpro 2029 and 2031 picks. They probably ask for Dyson and I'll probably still do it but Giannis would need to extend.

[HMFFL]

I have no reason to believe we end up with Giannis. If anything the Bucks will contact us about Trae Young.

Domantas Sabonis a meeting with the Kings and they signed Doug Christie long-term. I expect Domantas Sabonis to remain a King.

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[dms269]

The only we get Giannis is if we invent a time machine, go back, and take out Larry Drew.

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