Atlanta Hawks small forward DeAndre Hunter is approaching the end of his rookie contract. Hunter, who was selected fourth in the 2019 NBA Draft, has gradually become a productive piece for Atlanta.
Hunter is extension eligible this offseason, but NBA executives expressed concerns with that option. In a piece for The Athletic, Chris Kirschner indicated that the Hawks should practice patience. Atlanta should wait for his restricted free agency in the 2023 offseason he argued, citing NBA executives in agreement.
“I think it would be a mistake for the Hawks to agree to a lucrative extension with Hunter this offseason. While these are just opinions, I asked a few executives around the NBA for a number they would feel comfortable re-signing Hunter to if they worked for the Hawks, and each gave a number around $12 million to $15 million per year,” Kirschner wrote.
Hunter would be unlikely to accept such a deal at this point, Kirschner continued. “It would be surprising if the Hawks could sign him at a number that low because of how team-friendly it would be. I’d imagine the two sides won’t agree to a new deal and will instead push talks to next season, or they could look to move him this offseason.”
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Passing up an extension opportunity would mean that the Hawks expect to keep him after the 2022-23 season for a figure close to his qualifying offer of just over $12 million. As long as Hunter doesn’t have a MIP level season, executives seem to think that is realistic.
The Atlanta Hawks selected DeAndre Hunter just behind Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, and RJ Barrett in the 2019 draft. Selected right after Hunter was Darius Garland. Hunter hasn’t lived up to his high draft placement yet.
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The forward, though, has improved over the course of his first few seasons. If he signs on with Atlanta for a $12-15 million figure, it’s possible that could soon become a bargain.
