The NBA trade deadline is over, and teams are turning their attention towards their playoff quests. Two of the busiest teams during the trader were the Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns, but neither is destined for a long postseason run.
Sources have indicated that Atlanta was looking at an even larger piece to complete their puzzle — Kevin Durant.
Suns Go After Big Guys Despite Deadline Rush
According to Sports Illustrated, the Phoenix Suns were determined to add to their high-paying core to make one last shot at a championship.
Even after reportedly being associated with various big names, such as Jimmy Butler, the Suns could not bring any of them on board. Although Phoenix went after signings that would have padded their line, they did not make any signings, keeping their nucleus together for the playoffs.
Hawks Make Trades but Fail to Get a Superstar
The Atlanta Hawks, meanwhile, were far more active. They made a series of trades that were designed to provide depth and enhance salary flexibility. The Hawks traded De'Andre Hunter to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Caris LeVert and Georges Niang.
They also traded Bogdan Bogdanovic to the Los Angeles Clippers for Terance Mann. The moves gave the Hawks good rotation players but were short of landing a legitimate superstar.
Atlanta's Unexpected Gamble on Kevin Durant
Yet, the Hawks reportedly did an aggressive outreach for Kevin Durant during the trade deadline, which caught everyone by surprise. Almost all the attention on Durant during the season concerned the Golden State Warriors.
Atlanta was among the teams that sought a trade with the future Hall of Famer, according to ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel.
Might Durant Make a Move to Join Trae Young in Atlanta?
With Atlanta still seeking a star to pair alongside Trae Young, the notion of getting Durant isn't outlandish. Durant, who will turn 37 soon, is still one of the league's top scorers and would fit into any system with ease. His floor-stretching, shot-creation, and pressure-reducing abilities for Young would make the Hawks an instant contender.
But there are considerable obstacles. Durant is in the final season of his contract, and Atlanta might not have the financial capabilities and assets in place to make such a franchise-altering trade happen. Moreover, there are questions about whether Durant would even want to play for Atlanta, a franchise still building toward being an NBA contender.
Is a Durant Trade in the Cards for Atlanta?
Although Durant's possible signing in Atlanta is still speculative, this rumor may become a possibility in the offseason. With Clint Capela potentially reaching free agency and other players having expiring contracts, the Hawks might be able to mount a strong case if Durant were to become a possibility.
The Kevin Durant sweepstakes might be far from over. If Atlanta can't get him, his next stop might be the Rockets or any other team.
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