With Kevin Durant now out of the playoffs and a unrestricted free-agent, could the Atlanta Hawks be in the mix for the star forward’s services next season?
According to Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Atlanta Hawks‘ ownership will try to make a run at Durant this summer. Schultz writes:
"“The Atlanta Hawks, led by owner Tony Ressler, are expected to make a strong push for Durant.”"
While Schultz does elaborate that this is most likely a pipe dream and it is unlikely for the Hawks to have a legitimate shot at signing Durant (given the organization’s past futility in luring top free-agents to the city of Atlanta), it is intriguing that the new ownership group led by Tony Ressler and Grant Hill would try to bring Durant to the superstar starved Atlanta.
Even though he Hawks have had All-Stars the past few years (four in 2015 with Al Horford, Paul Millsap, Jeff Teague and Kyle Korver), they have not had a bonafide superstar since Dominique Wilkins. The impact to the team and the city of Atlanta would be enormous.
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Other teams such as the Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics figure to be the favorites in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes, Atlanta is an intriguing option for Durant to considering, despite concerns past superstars may have had in signing with the Hawks.
Should Durant decide to take his talents to the ATL, he would immediately enter a winning situation. A roster of Kevin Durant, Paul Millsap, Al Horford, Kyle Korver and either Jeff Teague or Dennis Schroder would immediately be a title contender.
Durant would a have one of the top coaches in the league in Mike Budenholzer, and would be in a situation where he would be the top offensive option.
Millsap and Horford would be excellent pieces to surround Durant with and he would have a legitimate point guard in either Teague or Schroder feeding him the ball and not competing for touches.
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There is also the benefit of playing in the Eastern Conference. Durant would not have to worry about facing Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, or other top Western teams to try to win a title.
This would set up an instant rivalry with LeBron James, and finally give the Cavaliers a legitimate threat in the conference.
If Durant’s ultimate goal is to win a title, he has a better chance of getting there by playing in the Eastern Conference. The Hawks are lacking a closer, and Durant would immediately provide the scoring punch they need.
There is also the benefit of entering one of the top media markets in the country, and instantly becoming the most recognized figure in one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States.
While some in the media paint a picture that Atlanta is a bad sports town, that sentiment can be traced directly to the playoff futility and inability to sign stars in the past by all three professional sports teams.
It’s more or less cynicism that could be completely erased should someone like Kevin Durant come to Atlanta.
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Atlanta has not had a superstar since Michael Vick played for the Falcons in the early 2000s. Durant would become the face of the city, and put Atlanta on the map for not only the rest of the NBA, but on the global stage.
He would have the chance to build his brand in a national media hub, much in the same way he could do that with the Lakers, without having to deal with a young and rebuilding roster.
The new Hawks ownership group, led by Ressler and Hill, has made great strides since they took over the team a year ago. Attendance significantly increased over the past year, while the Hawks have also become the past chance for the city to win a title.
Though the most likely scenario for Durant is to re-sign with the Thunder on a one-year deal, wait for the cap to increase next season, and see what Russell Westbrook does when he hits free-agency next year, Durant most certainly does have options.
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Atlanta may not be at the top of his list this offseason, but with the current construction of their roster, a record of winning, and a city ready to welcome him as their savior, it could present an enticing option as he enters free agency, no matter how unlikely it may seem.