You might not miss the bombshell that fell on the NBA on June 30, a few hours before the opening of the Free Agency. Kevin Durant asked his franchise, the Brooklyn Nets, for his trade. But now the more important question is: where might it go? And how to carry out such a historic transfer? Right away, zoom in on the Atlanta Hawks and their possibilities to get KD back.
Friday June 30, 2022, 8:49 p.m. French time, the explosion falls.
Kevin Durant wants to leave Brooklyn, time is running out and Coco wants to win more rings. After the time of the exploding thermometer, the entire TrashTalk editorial team has therefore asked themselves THE question that torments us all… but where the hell will KD pursue his career? To do this, and because we like to push the delirium as far as possible, we have collectively decided to look at all the NBA franchises. Yes yes, all the franchises: 29 detailed articles, with a quick overview of what might happen.
Make way for the Atlanta Hawks and Trae Young.
The Hawks situation
# Why would the Hawks go for KD?
Because for two seasons something has been going on in Atlanta. Ambition, coupled with disappointment last season following an incredible story in the 2021 Playoffs, and today the Hawks are clearly knocking on the door of FC Contender, carried by a Trae Young very well on the way to slamming a unique career. Under these conditions Atlanta must pass a milestone, and with the arrival of Dejounte on the backcourt, that of KD once morest a package comprising young talented players but whose Hawks seem – basic – not to be opposed to separating would represent a masterclass total in terms of management. Trae Young + Dejounte Murray + Kevin Durant, it’s great, right?
# Which players are unavailable?
- Trae Young – Dejounte Murray
Already, as we said above, the idea would be above all to create an incredible Big Three, and until proven otherwise, a Big Three is not made up of two people. Trae Young is absolutely unmovable because he is the present and the future of the Hawks, also representing the image of a franchise that he put back at the top of the bill a little over a year ago. Obtaining Dejounte Murray once morest two peaches and a cashew nut is a local madness and Dejounte is an outgoing quasi MIP and therefore in full explosion. In short, if KD were to join the Hawks it would be to play with these two, period, on the line. And that’s good because despite everything Atlanta has some other arguments in possible negotiations with Brooklyn.
# Which Hawks players might catch the Nets’ attention?
- De’Andre Hunter, Onyeka Okongwu, John Collins
Youth, defense, potential, versatility (and John Collins). We are a little mean to Jojo because he is still young (24 years old) and has sometimes shown that in a lesser role in a hierarchy he can be an incredible soldier. De’Andre Hunter and Onyeka Okongwu remain the two most interesting pieces to pick up in Atlanta because they are still younger and probably have more potential. The first is a two-way player who only wants to explode his talent, the second has eaten two complicated first seasons because of injuries but has shown in each of his appearances that he has what it takes to become a player who counts. In short, youth, defense, potential, versatility (and John Collins).
# Do they have Draft picks to offer them?
Seven picks on the next two drafts but few first rounds (two), so not necessarily what will weigh the most in the balance. Whatever happens, the few picks in possession of the Hawks will go to Brooklyn in the event of a trade, because we have nothing for nothing.
Nets salary grid
The ideal Hawks package:
- John Collins
- DeAndre Hunter
- Sharife Cooper
- A.J. Griffin
- 3 first draft rounds
John Collins is an obligation, a question of salary, and it will be an opportunity for the Hawks to get rid of him. Not once morest him eh, Johnny has given a lot to his franchise since his Draft, but JC just seems not to be in the small papers for the future. De’Andre Hunter, because the Nets want youth and good youth if possible. No Okongwu story to still keep a nugget at home but in return two very young players who are added to the package: Sharife Cooper and AJ Griffin. The first is incredibly exciting but will remain hampered no matter what by the presence of Trae Young, moreover with the arrival of Dejounte, and the second is perhaps the dash that might tip the scales in favor of a trade since according to a lot of observers AJ Griffin might well be one of the steals of this Draft if his knees leave him alone.
Feasibility score: 5/10
Kevin Durant on the Atlanta side? In fact, nothing is impossible and as a famous philosopher from Hérault said: it is by doing anything that you become anyone. To acquire KD the Hawks know in any case what they have to do. So, is it tempting or not?
