The Atlanta Hawks have never been a team known for their lavish spending on superstars, but things could be about to change with their interest in one future Hall of Famer. NBA Insider Marc Stein has revealed just how and why the Hawks are the real bookies’ favorites to land Dallas Mavericks superstar, Anthony Davis.
The Hawks are 10th in the Eastern Conference, falling from a team in playoff contention to just about scratching the surface of the play-in positions. The team is 25th in rebounds per game (41.5) and 24th in opposition points per game (120.1). The Hawks need a rebounding presence and a defensive anchor, two things that Davis has made his career in.
‘A Real Deal Suitor’ For The Atlanta Hawks
“The Hawks are a real-deal suitor for Davis. Just how far, though, are they willing to go in terms of a Davis offer?” Stein explained. In his report, Stein included Chris Haynes’s findings, who believes the Hawks will not include star point guard Trae Young in a trade package to acquire Davis.
One of the main problems the Hawks are facing is Davis’s $58.5 million due next season and the future contract extensions he is eligible for. Young is currently playing this season under the cap hit of below $46 million, and if traded, it could easily free up some cap space to bring in a superstar like Davis.
Why should the Hawks trade for Davis? The Hawks are 2-8 with Trae Young in the lineup and have lost the last five since he returned from an injury on Dec.18.
So, if the Hawks don’t want to include Young in a trade for Davis, what is the other option to ensure they play on the court together? Stein wrote, “It is also increasingly believed that Atlanta is willing to surrender Zaccharie Risacher in the proverbial right scenario. Even if the Hawks are prepared to package Risacher with the expiring contracts held by Kristaps Porziņģis and Luke Kennard for Davis, it is unclear how much additional draft compensation they would be willing to add to the deal.”
Davis had signed a three-year, $175,369,698 contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, with all of it guaranteed.
The Hawks may have to pay a premium to acquire his services, but an on-court trio of Young, Jalen Johnson, and Davis could be the perfect combination to spring them back up into playoff contention, and dare I say, a possible championship contender.
