There is a possibility for this NBA offseason to be tumultuous.

Many teams face an uncertain future and may need to make significant changes to reorganize their squads. Two such teams that could be included are the Atlanta Hawks and the Phoenix Suns.

Phoenix is confronted with arguably the most dismal prospects in the NBA. The team lacks any draft assets, the Bradley Beal contract is widely considered to be the most unfavorable in the league, and they are an elderly squad with few means to enhance their roster. One possible strategy for them to revamp their draft assets and acquire additional players is to trade Kevin Durant.

Since acquiring Dejounte Murray two years ago, the Atlanta Hawks have been consistently average and are now heading towards a potential dissolution of the Trae Young/Murray backcourt. Considering this, is it possible for the Hawks and the Suns to establish a trade partnership, resulting in Durant being transferred to Atlanta? Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report argues that the Hawks may not be the optimal choice for Durant, providing a detailed explanation for his viewpoint.

“The Hawks have been included in discussions about the possibility of acquiring Durant, although the specific reasons for their involvement are unclear.” Atlanta might undoubtedly benefit from a player of his exceptional quality, but what does it have to provide to him (or for him, for that matter)? If he believed that there were an excessive number of pick-and-rolls in Phoenix, it is unlikely that he would appreciate a Hawks attack that ranked fourth in terms of the highest number of possessions concluded by a pick-and-roll ball-handler.

Durant is currently at a stage in his career when he should be solely focused on pursuing championships without any distractions. That is not going to occur in Atlanta. The Hawks, who have emerged victorious in two playoff series since 2016, just concluded their season with a record 10 games below .500. Additionally, they had a decline in performance due to the absence of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, their two most skilled players, resulting in a deficit of 6.5 points per 100 possessions.

Moreover, the extent to which Atlanta would need to significantly reduce its roster in order to get Durant is uncertain. The Hawks are prohibited from trading their own first-round pick until 2029, thus necessitating a trade offer that is heavily focused on players in order to capture the Suns’ attention. Given their initial lack of abundant potential, Durant may end up with only a minimal number of skilled individuals to back him.

In a recent installment of the Lowe Post Podcast, Zach Lowe, an NBA analyst for ESPN, engaged in conjecture with Bobby Marks about potential trades involving Durant during the next summer. Lowe specifically brought up the Atlanta Hawks as a potential landing spot for Durant.

“Orlando would provide the most enjoyable experience, but it does not align with their modus operandi.” Atlanta is a potential destination for point guards like De’Andre Hunter and Saddiq Bey, as they have a shortage of picks to trade. They currently only possess the Sacramento pick and one other future pick. However, this scenario is merely a hypothetical and lacks substance.

In the previous season, Durnat maintained an average of more than 27 points per game, with a shooting accuracy of 52% from the field and 41% from three-point range. Additionally, he participated in 75 out of the 82 games played this year. In addition, he maintained an average of almost seven rebounds per game and five assists per game. How many further seasons can he consistently perform at that level? The number of possibilities could range from three to four, yet there is a chance that there is just one. It is quite probable that he will be chosen as an All-NBA player this year.

I believe that witnessing a Durant trade throughout the upcoming summer would be truly captivating. Although he remains a formidable player, potential teams may be reluctant to offer significant compensation due to his advanced age and the limited duration of his contract, which spans only two years. Phoenix traded Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, and four picks without protection, along with a pick swap in 2028. I highly question the possibility of Phoenix obtaining such a substantial return in exchange for Durant, yet they will not receive a negligible amount either.

It will be intriguing to observe Phoenix’s trading priorities. Beal remains with his current team due to the presence of a no trade clause in his deal. Given the terms of his contract and his performance this season, it is highly unlikely that any team would be interested in trading for him. Booker remains with the team unless he explicitly requests a trade or the Phoenix organization decides to completely dismantle their current setup. However, it is unlikely that they would take such action, given their limited selection of options. Trading Durant appears to be the most optimal strategy for obtaining valuable resources.

What assets would the Hawks need to relinquish in order to acquire Durant?

Considering the Hawks’ likely intention to trade either Trae Young or Dejounte Murray, that would serve as the first basis. Atlanta may trade Murray, De’Andre Hunter, AJ Griffin, and a 2030 first round selection to Phoenix in exchange for Durant. Alternatively, the Hawks have the option to substitute Clint Capela for Hunter. However, it would not be advantageous for Phoenix to acquire Jusuf Nurkic, as he still has two years remaining on his contract unless they engage in a trade. Murray is a viable candidate for the point guard position in Phoenix. Hunter would serve as a starting forward, while Griffin would provide further depth to the team. Additionally, Griffin’s youthful age makes him a valuable asset for the team’s future prospects. Lastly, the team would also acquire a first round choice.

Is that sufficient? This poses the question. In my opinion, the offer made by the Hawks is the most favorable option available, although it may not be the most advantageous offer that Phoenix receives. Durant would face intense competition from teams such as Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, and New York, who could potentially offer the Suns a substantial number of draft picks. Almost every NBA team would covet Durant due to his immediate enhancement of their performance, and Atlanta would have significant competition in acquiring him.

The Suns are expected to seek the return of Jalen Johnson in a prospective trade with Atlanta. Although Kevin Durant is now a superior player, Johnson, at 22 years old, shows promising potential to become an All-NBA player. The Hawks would likely be hesitant to engage in a trade involving a 35-year-old Durant, and this caution is justified. In my opinion, they would prefer a Young/Durant combination over a Murray/Durant combination.

This summer is poised to be one of the most intriguing in recent memory for the NBA. Atlanta and Phoenix are expected to be centrally located.