Add the Atlanta Hawks to the growing list of NBA teams expected to make an effort to land prized free agent Kevin Durant before players officially can sign contracts in July.
“The Hawks, led by owner Tony Ressler, are expected to make a strong push for Durant,” Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal-Consitution wrote Wednesday. “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.”
The Hawks must move salary to afford Durant, thus making their roster less deep and talented. Paul Millsap makes more than $20 million per season, and re-signing Al Horford and Durant would cost more than $40 million annually.
Also, it’s Atlanta, and why would Durant go there when he could join a better roster and a more desirable basketball market/location in places like Boston, Miami, San Antonio, Los Angeles, Oklahoma City, etc.?
If Durant wants to move to the Eastern Conference, the Celtics represent his best chance to beat LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers and advance to the NBA Finals. Boston has a well-built roster, tons of salary cap space, many first-round draft picks, an elite head coach and general manager, and the prestige of having the most championships in league history.
Thumbnail photo via Soobum Im/USA TODAY Sports Images
