The Atlanta Hawks face a need to reduce their payroll for the 2023-24 NBA season with some rumors of a mandate from ownership to get under the luxury tax. As a result, the team could make use a trade to move a big contract to reduce their obligations.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the Hawks talked to the Detroit Pistons about a De’Andre Hunter trade.
“In addition to previously reported dialogue between the Hawks and Pacers about trading forward De’Andre Hunter to Indiana, there were also significant talks between Atlanta and Detroit about moving Hunter to the Pistons, league sources told Yahoo Sports,” Fischer wrote.
The Hawks want to give swingman AJ Griffin more playing time next season, which is why Hunter could be traded this offseason.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: De’Andre Hunter, Atlanta Hawks & Detroit Pistons Updates
Atlanta drafted Hunter with the fourth overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Virginia. The 25-year-old averaged 15.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists this past season while shooting 46.1% from the field, 35.0% from beyond the arc and 82.6% from the free-throw line.
Hunter signed a four-year, $90 million rookie contract extension with the Hawks in October 2022. He’ll make $20.1 million next season. The Philadelphia native has career averages of 13.9 points, 4.2 boards and 1.5 assists while shooting 44.4% overall, 35.6% from 3-point range and 79.9% from the free-throw line.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: De’Andre Hunter, Atlanta Hawks & Detroit Pistons Updates
It will be fascinating to see if the Hawks trade Hunter before the 2023-24 season starts. The Indiana Pacers nearly acquired Hunter from the Hawks, but talks ultimately broke apart, as Fischer reported.
“Another trade in the Eastern Conference seemed to derail as it approached the finish line Tuesday night. The Indiana Pacers and Atlanta Hawks were making headway on a deal that would have sent De’Andre Hunter to the Pacers, league sources told Yahoo Sports, but talks ultimately broke apart,” Fischer wrote.
Other potential trade candidates for the Hawks include John Collins and Clint Capela as the team has to navigate a contract extension for Onyeka Okongwu next summer.
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