Atlanta Hawks Seeking Meeting With Kevin Durant

The Atlanta Hawks are seeking an audience with unrestricted free agent Kevin Durant, ESPN’s Marc Stein reports.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Chris Vivlamore also confirmed Stein’s initial report that the Hawks are seeking a seat at the table with Kevin Durant.

The Atlanta Hawks were not given an initial audience with Durant and it remains to be seen if in fact they will be able to procure a meeting with him.

The current list of teams that Durant plans to meet with are the Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Hawks have coveted a chance to meet with Durant; but being left off his initial displays the perception of the city of Atlanta by NBA players.

Though Atlanta has made the playoffs for nine consecutive seasons, have won 108 games over the last two years, have an excellent head coach and roster, as well as a new ownership group, it still seems that top free agents are quick to eschew the Hawks as a possible destination.

Story going online now: Atlanta has Kevin Durant aspirations, too, while ESPN sources say the Hawks are also weighing a run at Dwight Howard
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 28, 2016

I can confirm report by ESPN's Marc Stein that the Hawks are trying to get a meeting with Kevin Durant.
— Chris Vivlamore (@CVivlamoreAJC) June 28, 2016

Stein reports in his piece that the Hawks are planning to utilize part-owner Grant Hill in order to gain access to Durant, leveraging his friendship to get face-time with the star. Stein writes:

"“One source of hope for the Hawks, sources say, is the presence of longtime NBA All-Star Grant Hill in the Hawks’ ownership group, with Hill expected to lead Atlanta’s lobbying efforts.”"

The Hawks hope that if they are able to secure a meeting with Durant, Hill can sell the Hawks system and what the city of Atlanta can offer him if he was to sign there.

Durant would instantly become the face of a superstar starved city, and would fit into Mike Budenholzer’s system flawlessly.

Between the allure of playing with a pass first point guard in Dennis Schroder, an All-Star big man in Paul Millsap, and the potential return of perennial All-Star center in Al Horford, Durant would instantly make the Hawks title contenders.

Add to that one of the largest media markets in the country and a mild climate year-round, Atlanta has a lot to offer.

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This, of course, is likely a pipe-dream, as many pundits believe that Durant is either destined to return to OKC on a short-term deal or to take his talents to the Bay Area.

However, should the Hawks be granted an audience with Durant, they can definitely make a strong pitch on the perks of coming to Atlanta.

Lost in the midst of Stein’s report is the mention that Dwight Howard could become a free agent option for the Hawks. Should Al Horford bolt, Howard coming back to his hometown could become an interesting solution to entertain.

I don’t see how Howard would fit into the Hawks system if Horford re-signs — unless he is willing to accept a reserve role. He also isn’t a fit for the Hawks pace and space offense, as he lacks any semblance of a jump-shot and is a poor free throw shooter.

Should the Hawks get a meeting with Durant, it will be interesting to see how it plays out. At the very least, it will at least make the Hawks ownership feel good that they were able to meet with a max-level free agent face-to-face.

Next: Kevin Durant: Free Agency Destination Power Rankings

As the free-agent period approaches on July 1, it will be incredibly entertaining to see where all the pieces fall.